Slow down, speed demon

By Mandy Walton

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | 5:27 p.m.

Do you know how fast you’re driving? Maybe you’ve just turned onto a busy street and there’s no speed limit sign in sight. If you’ve ever been driving at a comfortable 55 mph only to realize that the speed limit is, in fact, 25 mph, you know what I’m talking about. To help you avoid a ticket (and to keep our streets a little safer), check out this quick overview of some places around town where speed limits can be a little tricky.

Todd Rasmussen, public information officer at the Henderson Police Department, encourages drivers of two things: “By sticking to the posted speed limits, and paying attention to the road, drivers in Henderson can contribute to a safer community.”

Seriously, you should listen to him.

If you travel the I-215 to downtown Henderson, upon exiting are 55 mph signs. However, when you hit the level street, just before the light at the Fiesta Casino, there’s one 45 mph sign. Be careful, because the 45 mph limit stays in effect the entire length of Lake Mead Drive.

Van Wagenen Drive is 35 mph from Lake Mead Drive all the way to Greenway Road. While this stretch of road feels like it should be faster, it is not a normal “divided highway” with medians, so the speed limit stays at 35 mph. Be on the lookout for reduced speeds in school zones in front of Burkholder Middle School and behind McCaw Elementary, in effect while lights are flashing.

Greenway Road is definitely an imaginary speedway for some. Most drivers either don’t know the speed limit, or choose to ignore it. Starting where Greenway Road intersects with Boulder Highway, the speed limit is 35 mph. School zones exist at Van Wagenen Drive and again just before Horizon Drive, in front of Newton Elementary. After the light at Horizon Drive, you’ll find you’re on a residential street, albeit still Greenway Road, and the speed limit has changed to 25 mph.

Horizon Ridge Parkway, while classified as a divided highway, has one change in speed limit, which is in the middle of the Del Webb area. The normal 45 mph limit applies, except for between Green Valley Parkway and Valle Verde Drive. A strict 35 mph is enforced in this area.

Finally, traveling westbound on Pecos/St. Rose from the I-215, you’ll see a 45 mph sign and then suddenly a 55 mph sign. On your way back, however, don’t be fooled. Because eastbound traffic is approaching the I-215 onramp, lower speed limits are enforced. From 55 mph, you’ll be taken down to 45 mph, and then 35 mph.