Flashing speed limit signs are smarter than you think
The flashing speed limit signs you see around Nichols Hills don’t actually keep your lead foot a secret.
Nichols Hills is well-known for posting the signs in several neighborhoods and high-traffic streets where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. There are approximately 28 signs in the municipality.
The signs are blank until a driver approaches. That’s when the signs display yellow numbers with the driver’s speed.
However, if the driver is speeding, the numbers flash along with a white strobe to warn the driver they’re in violation.
“We’ll go back and look at the data, and it’ll show us what time the speeders were coming through the area,” said George Decher, a spokesman for Nichols Hills Public Works.
The signs also compile information on peak speeding hours and the number of speeders passing through an area. Though the signs are not able to take pictures identifying the speeder, the city can use the data from the signs to determine where police may need to increase patrols.
“Just a few weeks back there was a delivery truck that I think was heading for 50 miles per hour eastbound,” said Bill Arnold, who lives on Belford Avenue. “I hollered at him loudly.”
Arnold told KOCO that although the signs have helped on his street, there is still a speeding problem. He said he has even seen a speeder flash his middle finger at a sign after it flashed at him.
“I found it rather disgusting,” Arnold said. “I find it to be a public safety issue.”
People who live in Nichols Hills and feels like they also also have had a speeding problem on their street can contact City Hall to request a speed study.