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Red Bank and East Ridge beef up speed control

By Paul Shahen
Eyewitness News Reporter

Tennessee Valley (WRCB) -- A few traffic changes are planned in two Tennessee cities, in hopes of slowing drivers down.  

East Ridge and Red Bank leaders say they want to send a message that speeding will not be tolerated! 

That's right, both Red Bank and East Ridge are trying to lighten the lead foot they say is becoming a problem. For example the city council in East Ridge is considering an ordinance to put up stationary cameras to take pictures of anyone speeding.  

There will be an analysis to determine the biggest problem areas.   We do know Ringgold Road is a strong possibility for those cameras.   East Ridge also plans to use a mobile speed tracking unit around the city.   And they don't plan to use it in the business section all the time, but on the back roads as well, where drivers pass into and out of Georgia.  It will be based on complaints.

As for the city of Red Bank.  There are already traffic cameras there. But now the city is planning to install rumble strips.   City Manager Chris Dorsey says these strips will help where speeding is an issue, but it's not the main goal.  

Dorsey says the main goal will be to alert drivers of their surroundings.  The city plans to install them before dangerous curves, such as the one on Appian way, and before stop signs that are often not seen.

As for a time proximity, in Red Bank they plan to have the rumble strips installed within a few weeks.  In East Ridge, City Manager William Whitson said the earliest the cameras will be used is next year. 

With the winter season bringing in possibilities of icy roads, slowing down isn't a bad idea at all.