Ulster County Village Looking to Set a New Speed Limit

Officials in Saugerties, New York have begun the process to set a village-wide speed limit.

Most towns and villages across the Hudson Valley have reasonable speed limits set throughout each area, with most limits ranging from 15 to 30 mph. The low limits are put in place in high foot traffic areas in hopes of making it safer for pedestrians walking around town. The speed limits do vary by town/village. In Saugerties, 80% of the village currently has a 25 mph speed limit with the other 20% having it set at 30 mph.

Saugerties, New York Seeks to Set Village Wide Speed Limit

Officials in the Ulster County village are moving forward with plans to have a village-wide speed limit set at 25 mph according to the Daily Freeman. Village Mayor Bill Murphy told the Freeman Monday that state officials will need to review the change because most of the higher speed limits are along U.S. Route 9W and state Route 32 saying,

"I have to make sure it’s kosher with them. It’s something that I want to get started...It makes sense to be consistent across and have the whole village be 25 (mph) across the board rather than 80% of the village be 25."

 

Residents Want More Speed Enforcement

Many residents in the Saugerties area are in favor of the village-wide 25 mph limit but some residents have expressed concerns about the change saying it's pointless unless local law enforcement enforces it. One resident told the Freeman, "Unless you can enforce it, it means nothing." Many also have expressed concerns over how "tight" traffic can get on Partition Street south of Main Street, which continues due to heavy traffic, and parking on both sides of the street.

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The speed limit change comes on the heels of the nearby City of Kingston officially changing the speed limit throughout the city to 25 mph.