New speed limit in Boiling Springs to slow things down, create safer travel

By Chuck Thompson | Shelby Independent

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — You might want to pay attention to your speed and slow down traveling through Boiling Springs from now on. A reduction in the speed limit in one part of town has been enacted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

On Friday afternoon, The Town of Boiling Springs released a statement noting that the area on N Main Street between Ingles and Ramsgate Drive has been reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph.

“A 10 MPH difference may not sound like much, but when it comes to traffic safety, every MPH matters,” the statement read in part on social media, citing safety reason for the reduction in speed.

The notification by the town stated research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which noted the risk of serious injury to pedestrians increase with vehicle speed.

“At an impact speed of 25 MPH, the average risk of serious injury or worse is approximately 32%. At 35 MPH, that risk increases to approximately 67%, which is more than double,” Boiling Springs explained in the notification on Friday.

In a statement to The Shelby Independent, Boiling Springs Police Chief Brian DiYorio said he understands the frustration people might have with the reduction in speed, but safety always comes first.

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The roughly 0.7 mile stretch of road where the speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph, from Ramsgate Drive to Ingles, is highlighted in yellow. | Courtesy of Apple Maps.

 “We understand that people are busy and that everyone seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere these days, but when you look at the relatively short distance between Ingles and Ramsgate Drive, traveling 25 mph instead of 35 mph is only going to add a small amount of time to someone’s trip. That small amount of additional time can make a significant difference when it comes to safety,” explained DiYorio. “Slower speeds give drivers more time to recognize and react to vehicles entering the roadway, pedestrians, bicyclists, changing traffic conditions, and other unexpected hazards. More importantly, lower speeds can reduce the severity of a collision when one does occur.

Our focus at the Boiling Springs Police Department is making sure people are aware of the new speed limit and encouraging everyone to do their part to keep our roadways safe.”

 DiYorio also noted the benefits to the entire town of a slower speed limit which can not only save lives but also lower costs and save residents from financial burdens down the road.

 “Reducing collisions is something that benefits the entire community, not just the people involved in a crash. Every collision requires emergency resources, can create traffic delays, cause property damage, and has the potential to result in injuries,” DiYorio noted. “There can also be a financial impact beyond the individual crash. Insurance companies consider geographic risk, including accident and claims experience within a territory, when evaluating insurance rates. When an area experiences more collisions and claims, those costs can ultimately affect drivers throughout that area. Preventing crashes is good for public safety, good for our community, and good for everyone who travels our roads.”

Avoid a ticket and other unwanted costs as we slowly draw closer to the holiday season by remembering to slow down to 25 mph from Ingles grocery store (near Bethel Ave) to Ramsgate Drive.

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

The Shelby Independent.