Chatham County leaders consider speed limit changes in school zones across the county

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - New changes are being considered for speed limits in school zones across Chatham County.

Friday county leaders said ‘yes’ to moving that plan forward for community input.

It’s areas like Whitemarsh Island near Marsh Point Elementary and Coastal Middle School that have seen a lot of growth in the past year.

Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis says safety in neighborhoods across the county should also reflect that growth.

“Neighborhood became more populated so now you have more people, so we got to slow some folks down,” said Ellis.

This is a list of roadways in the county that the Board of Commissioners is requesting the use of speed detection devices.

It’ll be an update to their speed zone ordinance, used for school zones, which hasn’t been updated since this time last year.

“There are kindergartens and daycares as well as schools that are coming up in the area and so we make those ordinance changes so that we can bring the traffic and slow it down,” said Ellis

VO: Ellis says THIS was the first reading among council members.

He says the next step is a second reading to present research that reflects the need in those areas.

{CHESTER ELLIS, CHAIRMAN-- CHATHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS} 1:02-1:07

SOT: “We’ll go through them line by line, item by item. The general public will then get a chance to have input.”