The local N.C. Department of Transportation traffic services office has been notified, DOT spokeswoman Jennifer Garifo said.
“They will do a traffic study and take appropriate action based on the results of the study,” she said.
Residents requesting a speed limit change should contact their local N.C. DOT office. To find the nearest office, go to www.ncdot.org.
Date posted: August 16, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Anonymous
I have used River Road for the past thirty some years when most people wouldn’t have even dreamed of taking that road before cell phones. (guess what no houses polluting the riverway) The main problem I’ve seen is when you get some idiot driving way below the speed limit and most people who are locals know that is a short cut with NO LIGHTS and no school traffic and yes it is 55 mph which is safe until you have to pass some dummy on a curvy 2 lane roadway poking along with no where to be and no certain time to be there. If 55 is a problem for you than either move or better yet take Carolina Beach Road it’s right up your alley 45 mph.
PS. Most of the fatilities on that road occur mostly at night with kids racing or people driving and trying to talk on a cell phone at the same time.Your probably one of the guilty ones. Hang up and pay attention.
I agree with the comment above. River Road is a nice shortcut and there is no good reason to lower the speed limit from 55mph. I’m sick and tired of you people trying to strangle the flow of traffic through this county.
My husband works on River Road, and must pull out into traffic where the road curves (impossible to see oncoming traffic) . Needless to say, he takes his life in his hands each time he has to leave his work. If those irresponsible drivers won’t maintain 55 on that strip, what in heaven’s name makes anyone think they would respect a 45 zone? The road is TOO curvy and narrow, with too many places intersecting onto it for it to be as racy as it is, but I have NO IDEA how you can ever slow down those that think they are entitled to whatever speed they wish to take the curves!
There is NO place on that road that has ever justified a 55 mph speed limit. I went down the full length of it a couple of days ago on the way somewhere and there were 2 cars in front of me. There was not ONE corner that either of them went around where they didn’t either ride down the bike lane or swerve into the oncoming traffic lane. The curves are not set up for 55 mph and even 45 mph is too fast in a few places especially all the blind curves that you can’t see around until you get in the middle of them. I was almost run off the road by one person coming around one of them halfway in my lane. This is supposed to be a scenic bike route too but only if you like playing Russian Roulette with cars…….
AND WHO DO I TALK TO TO GET IT RAISED TO 70? LOL!
GET A FASTER CAR!
I think 55 is a reasonible speed limit on River Rd. I moved in near the Intersection of Sanders/River 2.5 years ago, I and use River Rd daily. I’ve never had a accident. Never seen an accident. The only thing I would do differently is widen the road so the bike lane is farther out, because i see more bikes crossing the line into the traffic lane than cars going into the bike lane! So there is your real hazard….
I will never understand why people think lowering the speed limit to 45 mph will slow people down when they wont slow down to 55 mph now . Don’t lower the speed limit , enforce the one you have now . Instead of enforcing the laws we have and making people accountable for their action , you want to change the LAW .
I agree with 55 mph. We dont need to change that speed. I dont belive there have been many acidents at those speeds on that road, Most acidents have been due to excessive speeds OVER 55 which will be anyway no matter what the speeds. Anybody that can’t get out on to River road should go the front way to Carolina Beach Road.
@Lee B – if you followed these “speeding” cars for the entire span of River Road then it probably means that you were also going too fast.
On August 24, 2010 at 4:11 pm Kel H wrote:
@Lee B – if you followed these “speeding” cars for the entire span of River Road then it probably means that you were also going too fast.
They were not speeding, not even doing 55, they were just all over the road around every curve – If you don’t drive that road a lot some of those blind curves can come as a nasty surprise.
If the speed limit is lowered (which it should not be) to 45, then PLEASE, PLEASE, have someone enforce SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT on Carolina Beach Road. I travel each road daily and stay frustrated at people traveling down Carolina Beach Road at 40 miles per hour in the right hand lane. The speed limit in this stretch is 55! Apparently, these same drivers do not have rear-view mirrors, because they never seem to noticed the 25 cars piled up behind them wishing they would move over to the slow lane.
I am tired of the “few”, as in the few people that voice there opinion in the way of complaints, often seem to get their way. What about the people who do not complain about an issue, such as the 55 MPH speed limit on River Road and Dow Road. If the speed limit is changed, it should certainly not due to individual’s singular complaints.
The traffic flow in Wilmington is abysmal at most times of the day. This can be attributed to the lack of alternative routes to reach destinations within Wilmington. The few unimpeded stretch of roads that still exist, and where traffic thankfully is not that heavy, should not be reduced in speed limit or changed. Especially not changed because people argue the road is dangerous. The speed limit on both River Rd. and Dow Rd. have been 55MPH for decades. They are known as alternatives for locals who are familiar with the road. They are especially important to beach residents, who use these roads as alternative options, because it allows them to travel by car at a reasonable speed, unobstructed; especially during the tourist season.
Let’s take the “Leadfoot” out of shoe here.
I drive an average of 58/60 mph on this road were it is opened enough to do so safely (we all steal on the speed limit now and again), but I would be happy to slow it to a constant 55 mph if the police would be seen and curtail the tail gaiters on this road that want to do 65 mph and faster. Following some slow poke isn’t half as dangerous as having some idiot on your bumper at 58/60 mph acting as though they’re having to have been to were they’re going to “yesterday”. There are way more tail gaiters then slow pokes on River Road…& that’s a fact “Jack”!
I am so sick of people who move here and then want to change everything.
I have used River Road as a way to get away from the crazies on US 421. But then you get the ones that want to play “hall monitor” and control what you do.
If you don’t like the speed limit on River Road then use US 421/Carolina Beach Rd. and leave River Road to people who want to get where they are going.