Andover Starting To Install 25 MPH Speed Limit Signs Around Town

ANDOVER, MA — The Town of Andover announced that it is starting to install the "25 mph unless otherwise posted" speed limit signs around town.

At last year's Annual Town Meeting, Andover voters opted in to MGL c. 90 § 17C, a state law allowing towns and cities, with select board approval, to implement a 25 mph default speed limit in thickly settled areas and business districts.

In October, the Andover Select Board unanimously voted to apply the default 25 mph limit town-wide, making Andover one of 54 communities throughout Massachusetts to adopt the town-wide limit.

According to Andover officials, a significant percentage of roadways throughout town meet the (thickly settled areas and business district) requirement, including the downtown area and residential neighborhoods like Ballardvale and Shawsheen Village.

However, the 25 mph speed limit is not applicable to roadways outside of the town's jurisdiction, like state roads.

"The move is intended to make Andover streets safer for drivers and pedestrians and reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a motor vehicle accident," the town of Andover said in a statement.

Andover Police Department spokesperson Lt. Edward Guy said the department plans to conduct an extensive information campaign to ensure motorists are aware of the change. Guy said that officers initially plan to give warnings to motorists found to be exceeding the speed limit by a small amount, though eventually there will be citations.

"There is going to be an education period. We are going to put out the signs, there will be some other information going out via social media and there will be sign boards reminding people that the speed limit is changing," Guy told Patch.

Guy continued: "What we will do, within that time period, 2 to 3 months, if we do see speeding in those areas, we'll stop people, speak to them and let them know there has been a change."

Of course, Guy said it depends on how fast the motorists are going and their driving history whether or not they will escape with a warning.

"But we're not going to go out there and just start stopping cars and issuing citations," Guy said. "We want to make sure people are well educated about the different speed zones. This is a big change."