Speed Limit on Quaker Lane: Petition Started to Protest Change

PHOTO: The City recently changed the speed limit from 35 MPH to 25 MPH on Quaker Lane and some residents want to see it switched back. Map of area where speed limits were decreased; map courtesy of City. Click on map to enlarge.

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Decreasing the speed limit on Quaker Lane has got some seeing red.

On Friday, March 25, the City changed the speed limits for Seminary Road between I-395 and North Quaker Lane from 35 mph to 25 mph and North Quaker Lane between Duke Street and King Street from 35 mph to 25 mph (see map above).

According to data provided by the City staff, prior to the change, vehicles on both Seminary Road and N. Quaker Lane routinely traveled in excess of 45 mph and each street has experienced more than 60 crashes over a five-year period.

The proposed speed limit change was initiated by the Seminary Hills community and has strong support within that community. More than 250 residents signed a petition in support of the speed limit changes.

The new posted speed limit of 25 mph will be strictly enforced by the Alexandria Police Department (APD), the has City said.

Not everyone is happy with the change.

A petition on change.org has 521 supporters who want to see the speed limit on Quaker Lane returned to 35 MPH:

"I am quite frankly appalled by the recent changes of the speed limit on Seminary Road and Quaker Lane in Alexandria from 35 mph to 25 mph. It took effect this morning on Friday, March 25th, 2016 and it is being strictly enforced. Just this morning I was driving on Quaker Lane and a biker passed me. If I plan on taking either of these roads (which I and a lot of other citizens of Alexandria do) than I need to add 5-10 minutes to my travel time. I am very disappointed by the unnecessary change of the speed limit and would like it to be changed back."

Three people commented on the site; here's some of what they had to say:

Zachary said: "I was late to a service at the synagogue. This change is unnecessary and anti-semitic."

Lisa said: "Rather than properly funding our police force so that a 35 mph speed limit can be enforced, the city is simply responding to the demands of a small number of residents without regard to the impact on Alexandria as a whole. This piecemeal response to traffic issues in our area is embarrassing for a city of our size."

Hope said: "The speed limit is too slow, and it is very annoying to me."

What do you think about the speed limit change? Leave a comment in the box below the story.