Speeding through Dewey Beach? Not so fast. Here's why the walkable town is mandating a slow down

Next time you drive through the town of Dewey Beach, you might want to tap those brakes.

Dewey Beach Town Commissioners voted unanimously Friday to lower the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph within town limits.

Drivers can expect to see the new speed limit signs in about a month when the Delaware Department of Transportation processes the request and installs the signs, according to Town Manager Bill Zolper.

Police Chief Sam Mackert said there will be an educational period immediately after the signs are posted, and signs preceding the town’s entrance will warn drivers of the drop in speed limit.

One thing both Zolper and Mackert emphasized, though: This isn’t about raking in speeding tickets.

“We feel that we are going to be able to enforce the law of 25 miles an hour without becoming a speed trap,” Zolper said during last week's meeting. “This is a continuing part of our process with the crosswalks, and to just bring down the number of accidents in town.”

The speed limit change is the latest step that Dewey has taken to improve safety on its busy roadways. 

In June, the town introduced flashing lights on the yellow pedestrian crosswalk signs to better alert drivers and prevent injuries. These beacons blink for one minute and can improve drivers’ compliance by more than 40%, according to C.R. McLeod, director of community relations at DelDOT.

Dewey also had signs posted on each end of town, reminding drivers that it’s the state law to yield to pedestrians.

Mackert said police have already noticed a positive change since these new signs and flashing beacons were installed. 

“I’ve seen more people this summer actually stopping or slowing down for pedestrians going across the highway,” he said. “It is having an impact.”

Changing the speed limit is one more way to protect pedestrians, Mackert said, because drivers who are moving slower can have a better reaction time if someone darts out in front of them. Or, if someone happens to have a medical emergency while driving, he said it’s more likely that the curb will catch a car that’s traveling slower and prevent it from going on the sidewalk.

While it may not seem like a big change, Mackert said, “a five mile an hour speed (change) will make a difference on the severity of an accident, and I don’t want to see any of our folks injured out there on the highway.”

BACKGROUND:How walkable Delaware beach towns are trying to prevent pedestrian and bike crashes this summer

More safety projects for Dewey

Preventing tragedies on Dewey Beach's roadways has been a priority for Zolper, who started as town manager in February. 

With Route 1 running right through the town, and many popular businesses, bars and restaurants on either side, Dewey Beach faces a challenge familiar to other Delaware beach towns: More people and vehicles on the roads often means more crashes.

This is especially concerning for pedestrians, cyclists and moped operators who have less protection from oncoming traffic.

In the last three years, there have been 69 pedestrian or bicycle crashes on Route 1 between Lewes and Fenwick Island, and 10 have been fatal, according to data that the Delaware Office of Highway Safety released in the beginning of summer.

In July, the Delaware State Police reported 12 total crashes involving a motorcycle, moped or scooter at the beaches – an increase from nine in 2019.

SAFETY TIPS:Here's how to stay safe while sharing the road with mopeds, scooters at Delaware beaches

As Sussex County’s population continues to grow and more people are drawn to the Delaware beaches for vacation, it’s likely that this push to improve road safety will only become more fervent.

The good news? The town of Dewey Beach is ready with more projects on deck. Zolper said he has worked with DelDOT and Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf to line up a number of safety improvements.

Starting next week, the town will use stencils to spray paint the message, “Look twice before crossing,” on the sidewalks leading up to pedestrian crossings.

Dewey Beach has also asked DelDOT to change the pavement markings from dashed lines to a solid white line shortly before vehicles approach a crosswalk, so drivers in the right lane do not attempt to pass a car that stopped to let a pedestrian cross.

In October, people can expect to see the roads painted with signs that warn of the pedestrian crossings ahead.

Beyond crosswalks, Zolper said the town is looking to increase visibility by adding more street lights to illuminate the north side of town near where Route 1 and Route 1A meet.

READ MORE:How 'Dewey Strong' has taken on a new meaning as surf shop owner recovers from moped crash

Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.