Speed limit lowered throughout Cape Coral neighborhoods

CAPE CORAL, Fla. –  Speeding was the topic of discussion Monday in Cape Coral.

Some people want to lower the neighborhood speed limit, but others question how the city can enforce this change.

In a 5 – 3 vote, City Council agreed to draft the ordinance to reduce inner streets speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph.

The councilman pushing for lower limits says the decision came down to cost, enforcement and public safety.

To replace nearly 900 of the signs, it would cost the city almost $100,000. Councilman Jim Burch says he thinks this could be paid for without raising taxes.

“Anything that you can do as such a small thing like moving from 30 to 25 you know may make a difference,” explained Burch.

The Cape Coral Police Department says their resources are limited. Right now, their traffic officers are dedicated to patrolling areas where there are many car accidents. If the enforcement of lower limits does pass, those officers would be relocated.

“It’s going to require us, if this ends up being passed to take some of those limited resources that we currently have and rededicate them to enforcing a change of speed limits in the neighborhoods,” said Sgt. Dana Coston, with CCPD.

“The difference between 25 and 30, people think there’s not much difference, but the difference between one death and four deaths is a tremendous amount,” said Burch.

Burch tells WINK News if a person is hit by at car at 25 mph, one out of 10 people will die.
At 30 mph, four people will die.