By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A traffic study has been conducted on West Gypsy Lane Road to see how many drivers are speeding, and how much over the limit they are pushing it.
Results of the study, presented at the Bowling Green City Council meeting on Monday, reportedly show that speeding is not a major problem along the 35 mph stretch between the Slippery Elm Trail and the Indian Trace subdivision.
In a letter to Mayor Mike Aspacher, Police Chief Tony Hetrick said he requested a speed study be performed after Matt Sayre, a resident of the road, returned to City Council last month with traffic concerns.
The study was conducted over nine days, with monitoring equipment installed in an inconspicuous manner, with no reference to the speed limit being enforced or studied, the chief said.
The study found the following:
- 11% of vehicles traveling on West Gypsy Lane Road are at least 10 mph over the limit.
- The average speed was calculated at 38 mph, leading to the conclusion that speeds are not generally out of line with imposed limits, but continued enforcement is needed to maintain safety.
Hetrick also looked into the amount and types of traffic stops during the nine-month period starting in June of 2023 until Feb. 20, 2024. A total of 70 stops were made by officers on West Gypsy Lane. The enforcement actions were as follows:
- 31 speeding violations, with 15 citations and 16 warnings issued.
- 22 registration violations, with 12 citations and 10 warnings issued.
- 17 other violations including equipment violations, right of way, etc.
The study showed that the primary time for violations is between 12-4 p.m.
Sayre first came to City Council in September of 2020, asking the city to consider conducting a speed study, installing a speed bump, or lowering the speed limit to 25 mph.
At that time, then City Attorney Mike Marsh explained that stretch of Gypsy Lane Road, between Indian Trace subdivision and the Slippery Elm Trail, would not likely qualify for a 25 mph limit. He suggested enforcement of the existing speed limit.
Sayre, who has a young child, returned to City Council in May of 2023, repeating his concerns about speeding motorists.
“If you lived on the road, you would understand. It’s very frustrating,” he said.
And he was back again last month, not asking that the 35 mph speed limit be lowered, simply enforced.
He questioned whether any of the members of council, the police chief, or mayor has done anything since he last brought up the problem. Though the traffic study did not show a major problem, Aspacher said the city was not dismissing the concerns expressed by Sayre.
And the police chief noted in his report that efforts will continue to watch speeds on West Gypsy Lane Road, especially during the time when most violations were occurring.
“We will use this information to further tailor our enforcement efforts to bring the numbers down,” Hetrick stated.
