Residents are warned to slow down!
Some Mooseville residents are not happy with a new speed limit change that took effect last month on the outskirts of town.
"I stir up the dust when I walk," said local crop duster, Pooter Jenkins. "It's not like there's a lot of traffic out here anyhow."
The new speed limit affects Southwest Antler Avenue which connects the urban bustle on Moose Street to the farm country in Google Plus.
Woody Shackles of the Mooseville Police Department said the new speed limit has been put in place to offset the increased traffic he's seen while patrolling the rural area.
"Mooseville's growing, and there's only so much space in town," Shackles said. "We've seen a spike in traffic accidents and congestion out there. Just the other day I had to wait for a good while for a family of ducks to cross the road."
Though the new law has good intentions it has also created confusion among some Moosevillians.
"It's so vague," said Jen Skeptic. "So I can go faster than 5 miles per hour as long as there's no dust?"
Shackles explained. "Five miles per hour is the typical speed to keep dust swirls at a minimum, but during dryer weather you may have to drop it down to two or three."
According to Shackles, having no dust on the road makes it safer for everyone.
"You don't want a dust bowl out there," Shackles said. "You could run smack into a tractor or cow if you're not careful."
Many residents argue that tractors plowing the road and cows roaming the fields are nonexistent issues.
"I've seen one tractor and zero cows," said Skeptic. "And I've been driving this road every day for two weeks."
Shackles said the new speed limit will take time for residents to adjust to but is necessary to keep the road safe.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," Shackles said. "We're just asking Mooseville to watch their dust, that's all."
Motorists, bicyclists, or joggers who don't abide by the speed limit will be subjected to a $200 fine and two days of community service.
"We put an exclamation mark on the sign so people know how serious we are," Shackles said. "It might seem extreme but we have to make people aware that stirring up dust won't be tolerated."
Residents, consider yourself warned.
Story and photo by Lensy Shutters
Lensy Shutters studies Mass Communications at Mooseville University and is interning with us.
"I stir up the dust when I walk," said local crop duster, Pooter Jenkins. "It's not like there's a lot of traffic out here anyhow."
The new speed limit affects Southwest Antler Avenue which connects the urban bustle on Moose Street to the farm country in Google Plus.
Woody Shackles of the Mooseville Police Department said the new speed limit has been put in place to offset the increased traffic he's seen while patrolling the rural area.
"Mooseville's growing, and there's only so much space in town," Shackles said. "We've seen a spike in traffic accidents and congestion out there. Just the other day I had to wait for a good while for a family of ducks to cross the road."
Though the new law has good intentions it has also created confusion among some Moosevillians.
"It's so vague," said Jen Skeptic. "So I can go faster than 5 miles per hour as long as there's no dust?"
Shackles explained. "Five miles per hour is the typical speed to keep dust swirls at a minimum, but during dryer weather you may have to drop it down to two or three."
According to Shackles, having no dust on the road makes it safer for everyone.
"You don't want a dust bowl out there," Shackles said. "You could run smack into a tractor or cow if you're not careful."
Many residents argue that tractors plowing the road and cows roaming the fields are nonexistent issues.
"I've seen one tractor and zero cows," said Skeptic. "And I've been driving this road every day for two weeks."
Shackles said the new speed limit will take time for residents to adjust to but is necessary to keep the road safe.
"It's better to be safe than sorry," Shackles said. "We're just asking Mooseville to watch their dust, that's all."
Motorists, bicyclists, or joggers who don't abide by the speed limit will be subjected to a $200 fine and two days of community service.
"We put an exclamation mark on the sign so people know how serious we are," Shackles said. "It might seem extreme but we have to make people aware that stirring up dust won't be tolerated."
Residents, consider yourself warned.
Story and photo by Lensy Shutters
Lensy Shutters studies Mass Communications at Mooseville University and is interning with us.
