By Bill Lusk, Milton Councilman

It sounds like a promotion for the sports car enthusiasts.  Certainly the winding scenic roads in Milton could rival that race course in France.  If only we were promoting a sanctioned venue for speeding cars it might be attractive.  Unfortunately, our roads have become an attractive nuisance for many of those who traverse our former back country farm lanes.  Dirt roads created from two-century old Indian trails and wagon routes have been paved over.  Sight distances and curves which were acceptable for horse drawn carriages are no longer safe for our high powered vehicles.  Couple that with some alcohol or other substance and you have a tragedy waiting to happen.  We recently saw that again in the death of another Milton High School teenager.

The City-wide speed limit is a maximum of 45 mph, unless otherwise posted.  Governor Perdue recently signed the Super Speeder Law;  It provides for an additional $200 fine for speeds over 75 mph on two lane roads and for speeds over 85mph on four lane roads.  Laws are enacted for the purpose of setting limitations.  Enforcement is one issue.  Compliance is in the mind and control of the individual.  We each are responsible for our own actions; we cannot legislate conduct, only the consequences of misconduct.

According to Matt Marietta, former police officer and statistical analyst, in 2008, Milton had 488 traffic accidents of which 129 of those (or 26.4%) were single vehicle accidents.  Compare that to Kennesaw, a city of the same size, where they had 1,247 traffic accidents of which 117 (or 9%) were single car accidents.  Of course, with Kennesaw College and U.S 41, their traffic volume is considerably higher.  In 2008, there was an average of 1.3 accidents per day in Milton, with the highest occurrences on a Tuesday and Friday.

There have been a number of conversations and efforts recently to deal with this topic.  I am committed to slowing down speeders who travel our roads.  That can be possible through enforcement of our current speed laws, and/or by lowering speed limits to acceptable levels for our community.  The fact remains that changes need to be made, and from my standpoint, sooner rather than later.  Currently an application to the State DOT is in the works to modify several Milton road speed limits.

I would like to hear what you think.  If you have thoughts or even concerns on this or any other mater, please contact me at bill.lusk@cityofmiltonga.us.  I will look forward to hearing from you.  Thank you for allowing me to serve you as a member of our City Council.