Speeding on Assateague Island prompts lower speed limits

BERLIN, Md. –  Glancing at the speedometer seemingly optional here on Assateague Island.

Jamie Zimmer a visitor said, “People need to slow down.”

Speed is a real problem, and it’s serious enough to get residents moving.

Heather Myers another visitor said, “If one of those horses steps out in front of you at 50 miles an hour and if it doesn’t end you, it’s gonna end the horse.”

While residents use their voices, the state is implementing plans to avoid accidents.

Bob Rager a spokesman with the Maryland Department of Highway and Traffic Safety said, “We’ve been talking to national park service about it there’s been some questions about safety with the ponies around there.”

Officials say the newly lowered limits will prevent drivers from striking horses on the roadway.

At the beginning of the bridge to Assateague Island, it’s down from 40 to 30 miles per hour and just over the bridge it’s been lowered from 30 to 25 miles per hour.

Rager also said, “We want to make sure that even beyond dropping the speed limit that motorists heed that.”

The people 47 ABC spoke with say the changes were long overdue and needed to keep wild life and visitors safe.

Zimmer said, “I think it’s a great thing they lowered the speed limit. The people that come through here are going quite fast.”

Heather Myers also said, “These horses have always lived here. They swim out in the bay and people come to see them. If you end up taking them out, you lose half of the nature of this place.”

The department of highway safety has one final message for those who still feel they are above the law.

Rager said, “If you’re on Assateague Island and you see ponies on the side of the road, you definitely need to slow down.”