The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), in collaboration with the City of Decatur, is implementing 5 MPH speed limit reductions on state routes within the City of Decatur. These changes follow the adoption of the Decatur Safety Action Plan which identified reducing vehicle speed as a critical step toward eliminating serious injury and fatal crashes.
Lowering speed limits is a proven way to reduce both the frequency and severity of crashes. Faster speeds significantly increase the likelihood of severe injury for people walking or biking: at 35 MPH, the risk of fatal or severe injury rises to over 50%, compared with less than 20% at 25 MPH
Please help make the Decatur community safer for everyone by driving at or below the new posted speed limits and always expecting people walking and biking.
Updated Speed Limits on State Routes
5 MPH speed reductions will be seen on the following state routes:
| State Route | Previous Limit | New Limit |
|---|---|---|
| College Avenue (SR 10) | 35 MPH | 30 MPH |
| Scott Boulevard (SR 8) | 40 MPH | 35 MPH |
| South Candler Street (SR 155) | 35 MPH | 30 MPH |
| Clairemont Avenue (SR 155) | 35 MPH | 30 MPH |
| Commerce Drive (SR 155) | 35 MPH | 30 MPH |
What Drivers Should Expect
As GDOT and the City complete installation of new signs:
- New posted speed limits will appear across all affected state routes.
- Drivers are encouraged to begin following the lower limits immediately, even where older signs may still be visible during the transition period.
- Message boards and public information efforts will help ensure the community is aware of the changes as they roll out.
Why Safe Speeds Matter
Reducing speed limits on Decatur’s state routes directly supports the City’s Safe Streets Safety Action Plan by addressing one of the leading causes of severe and fatal crashes: excessive vehicle speed. Studies show that higher operating speeds significantly increase crash severity.
A data‑driven review of crash patterns identified these state‑route segments as part of Decatur’s high‑risk network, where reducing speeds can meaningfully improve safety. Lower limits reduce stopping distances, improve reaction time, and greatly increase survivability for people walking, biking, rolling, and driving.
The Decatur Pace Car Program
Speed limits reflect the maximum safe speed for a roadway based on its design, traffic patterns, and surrounding environment, they are not intended to suggest the minimum speed at which drivers should travel.
By joining the Pace Car Program, residents commit to:
- Driving at or below posted speed limits
- Yielding to pedestrians
- Sharing the road with bicyclists
- Following all traffic laws
Displaying a Pace Car magnet or sticker shows support for safer streets and helps encourage others to slow down and drive responsibly.
Visit www.decaturga.com/pacecar to find out how to get a sticker or magnet to show your support for the Decatur Pace Car Program.