Proposal for default speed limit reduction in Hendersonville neighborhoods moves forward

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of Hendersonville’s aldermen has worked to slow down speeding drivers in the city.

It comes through a new speed limit ordinance called “Safe Neighborhoods.” The speed limit change would only impact residential neighborhoods. As of publication, within the city there is a default speed limit where no signs are posted: 30 miles per hour.

On Tuesday, Hendersonville’s mayor and board of alderman approved the first reading of an ordinance to drop the default speed limit to 25 miles per hour. Those same leaders are scheduled to meet on October 22 to review the law again. If passed, the legislation would go into effect sometime between February and March 2025.

Before then, public works would survey the signs, order and install them. information will go out to citizens prepping them for the change. The plan is to send out communication packets to residents to make them aware of the change when and if it happens.

Alderman for the city of Hendersonville, Eddie Roberson, has led the ordinance. He told News 2 they’ve observed an increasing in speedy drivers specifically over the last for years. It also an issue constituents have contacted him about.

“The whole idea of this is to make the neighborhood streets in our city safer for everyone, for pedestrians, for traffic,” Roberson added. “We’re hoping that this is the first step in moving toward more safe neighborhoods in our city.”

The speed limit change would also apply to maximum speeds and posted signs in residential communities. If a sign is already up and the posted speed limit exceeds 25 miles per hour, it would be replaced in spring 2025.