14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Bridge Alert: Officers say...35 mph means 35 mph

Bridge Alert: Officers say...35 mph means 35 mph

Reporter: Brandon Bartlett
New Media Producer: Amanda Lents

How fast are you driving across the twin bridges? Seems a lot of motorists are breaking the law.

There are now two different speed limits for the northbound and for the southbound bridges. 14 News found out Thursday that drivers are ignoring the lower speed limit and preferring the fast lane.

14 News learned that officers are patrolling the area in full force at night but during the day that's another story.  

For 40,000 drivers who cross the twin bridges every day knowing just how fast or how slow to go is an issue.

Keith Todd with Kentucky Department of Highways says, "There's no confusion. The signs are there that say 35 miles per hour."

But with signs saying 55 miles per hour in one direction and 35 mph in the other motorists say it's easy to get confused.

14 news learned Henderson Police hired by the contractor to patrol the area are now only doing so at night, leading to more confusion from motorists who were used to seeing a stepped-up police presence on the bridge 24-7.

Todd asks the question, "Do you only obey the speed limit when there's a police officer behind you?"

To answer his question 14 News teamed-up with Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement to see just how fast motorists are traveling.

Officer Bobby Hardwick During our time behind the radar gun we didn't see a single vehicle obeying the 35 miles per hour limit.

Now with the lack of a police presence just who is enforcing the rules during the day?

Todd says, "If you go back to your driver's manual when people took their test that manual tells you when a sign that says 35mph you're to assume it's 35mph until you see otherwise."

Henderson Police are patrolling the area from 7pm to 8am overnight. During the day, Henderson County sheriff's deputies are in charge of enforcement but not at the level we have been used to in the past few months.

Keith Todd says after Thanksgiving the speed limit on both bridges will return to 55 mph. In March construction starts all over again.