BY: BO WILLIAMS
6 News Anchor/Reporter
Even though speed limit signs in
most areas are clearly posted, excessive speeding continues to be a big problem
on some Knox County roads, especially roads that
have recently undergone a major makeover.
According to Knox County Lt. Todd Clark, one road that has recently gone through construction is Hardin Valley
in West Knoxville. "Hardin Valley
is typical of a road that started out as a two lane road and then overtime
becomes a four lane drag strip," said Clark.
This statement
held true as 6 News crews observed officers pull
over nine motorists in about a 20 minute span, some of which were clocked at
driving close to 70 miles per hour.
"In this
area (Hardin Valley Road), it
is 45 miles per hour", says Lt. Clark, "but at any given moment on any given day you can come out
and shoot radar and people will exceed 60 miles an hour, even exceed 65 miles
an hour".
That statistic concerns Pellissippi State student Mason Cantrell. "I see a lot of people
just flying through," said Cantrell. "If someone were just to walk out, something bad could happen.
I think it needs to be more enforced."
Along with Hardin Valley,
Deputies tell 6 News that sections along Emory Road in North Knox County can be just as bad.
"Emory Road between
75 and Norris Freeway is another instance of a road that has gotten wider with five lanes and a turn lane", says Lt. Clark. "The
speed increases dramatically. People are used to driving on a two lane road and
now have this nice wider road and it increases their level comfort and also
their speed".
Clark's statement was
confirmed when 6 News clocked motorists traveling near 60 miles per hour in a
40 zone.
Officials with the Knox
County Sheriff's office say the best way to report speed concerns
in the county is by calling (865) 215-2243. Officers from the department's traffic
division will then be deployed to monitor conditions in that area.
If you live
inside the city limits of Knoxville,
you can also report a problem by calling Knoxville Police at (865) 215-7000 or 311.
6 News crews observed officers pull over nine motorists in about a 20 minute span, some of which were clocked at driving close to 70 miles per hour.
Even though speed limit signs in most areas are clearly posted, excessive speeding continues to be a big problem on some Knox County roads, especially roads that have recently undergone a major makeover.
