Driving through the stretch of US 119 between South Williamson and Pikeville in Pike County, Kentucky, is an essential part of my daily life. It's frustrating to navigate a roadway that seems designed for higher speeds only to be penalized for minor exceedances by speed traps. This area is predominantly flanked by bypasses, not residential homes, and the current limit seems unnecessarily restrictive.

With the road's design accommodating higher speeds and minimal residential presence, increasing the speed limit to 65 mph is both a logical and safe course of action. This adjustment would reflect the real dynamics of the roadway, ensure smoother traffic flow, and reduce the number of minor speeding penalties that feel more like traps than safety measures.

Statistics show that roads engineered for higher speeds, in an environment with adequate enforcement of traffic laws, maintain high safety standards. Raising the speed limit will also align with similar stretches of highways in Kentucky where a 65 mph limit is already well regulated and safe.

Changing the speed limit to 65 mph not only benefits local drivers and commuters by reducing travel time but also is a cost-effective solution that can improve traffic flow without compromising safety. We encourage the Kentucky Department of Transportation to review and increase the speed limit on this segment of US 119.

Sign this petition to urge local lawmakers and the Department of Transportation to acknowledge the practical needs of Pike County's road users and make a positive change to the speed limit on US 119.