By Marianne Lincoln

Today’s focus is speed limit signs. When you have travelled a road for several years, do you even look at them anymore? Perhaps just a cursory glance as you sail past, right?

Today as I sailed down 36th Avenue East from Military Road to 176th Street, I noticed the sign said 30 mph. Well, there is a school at each end of that short road, Clover Creek Elementary on the north end and at Sound Life Church on the south. Although it is not posted as a school zone, I tend to slow down there during school hours to be safe.

30? Why was I thinking it was 35? When did it change? I called Pierce County Public Works, Traffic Division. It actually used to be 25. It was changed in 2010 to 30. So I will admit that I have been using that road over 40 years, I’m sure it was 35 sometime.

If you really want to be confused over speed limit signs, try Canyon Road between 200th Street East and 160th Street East. Starting at 200th, it is now 35 mph, but along the way it is 40 and 45 then back to 35. I’d hate to be the person who got a speeding ticket there…”Which sign officer?”

And speaking of speed signs, watch out on 176th Street East between Canyon Road and Pacific Avenue. There are multiple speed limit changes due to construction and signs that have not yet been replaced. Take a look; anyone confused yet?