Town may reduce speed on Parker Road

The town of Coupeville will consider lowering the speed limit at the easternmost section of Parker Road from 35 mph to 25 mph.

The change would apply to a 1,500-foot section of Parker Road that heads out of town. It is also the only stretch in town that is higher than 25 mph.

“I think its important from a consistency standpoint ... that our speed limit is 25 mph,” said Bob Clay, Coupeville Town councilman.

The speed limit for the stretch was made higher in 1995 because the change between county speed limits and the town’s speed limits was considered too drastic. The county made an amendment to the traffic ordinance to allow for the speed limit change.

Lenny Marlborough, town marshal, said that a number of changes have occurred on Parker Road, including construction of new homes and a foot path that facilitates the slowing of traffic.

He added that the biggest reason for lower limit is faster stopping times for vehicles. It takes a vehicle 114 feet to stop at 35 mph compared to 58 feet at 25 mph.

The most common type of accident on Parker Road is cars striking deer, Marlborough said.

To facilitate the speed limit change, a petition was signed by residents living along Parker Road, with Marlborough as one signer.

“I (signed the petition) as a resident of the area, I think I could support it,” Marlborough said.

Since the petition was finished, Marlborough said that he’s received calls from residents concerned about additional driving times and the slower speed making it difficult to negotiate the hill on the outskirts of town.

Marlborough added, “I’ve never found a car stuck on that hill yet and I haven’t found a car with smoking breaks at the bottom.”

The Town Council will hold a public hearing in February before making a decision.

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