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Southern Shores council members had a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of speed bumps, particularly on Sea Oats Trail and Wax Myrtle, ultimately deciding not to take action at the meeting.

Police Chief David Kole explained the differences between speed bumps and speed humps, but concluded his presentation by saying that he didn’t think either option was necessary in Southern Shores.

“The data we have doesn’t justify them,” he said to the council at their June 20 workshop meeting. “I’m not going to stand here and tell you that cars don’t speed but I am going to stand here and tell you that they don’t speed like people think they do.”

He cited data explaining that about 85% of vehicles are following posted speed limits.

Kole said speed bumps or humps can cause injuries for bikers and can increase environmental and noise pollution.

When Mayor Elizabeth Morey asked what the best course of action was for residents concerned about speed problems in town, Kole said to employ common sense when out walking, especially with children.

“Don’t be riding your bike in the road and don’t be walking with your kids on the road on a Friday and Saturday during the summer. In New York state where I came from you had to yield right away to pedestrians. It’s not that way in North Carolina. The pedestrian is supposed to, when able, to yield the right-of-way to the oncoming vehicles that are coming. But when we can’t even get people to walk on the [correct] side of the road, they don’t even know the vehicle is coming until it’s too late,” he said.

Mayor Morey concluded the conversation by saying that it’s a top priority for the council to increase pedestrian walking paths in town.

Southern Shores council members also approved three budget amendments for beach monitoring, police cameras and town hall complex updates at a cost of $35,000, $165,246 and $98,450 respectively, as well as approved an updated traffic map.

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