Could we slow down in Rollins?

Five-plus years ago I personally hand-carried a petition to the Lake County commissioners requesting a reduction in the speed limit on U.S. 93 through the Rollins area, which is currently 70 miles per hour. 

In comparison, the speed limit on Montana 28 to Procter is 70 mph, but the speed sign through Procter is 50 mph. There are three intersections, a private fire hall and a garbage dump.

Through Rollins, there are 11 private intersections, a post office, convenience store, an antique store and a fire hall. Two miles south there is a restaurant and a meat processing store, all exposed to 70 mph. 

Why not lower the limit through Rollins to 50, just like in Procter?

The fact is that 40 percent drive 5 mph over the limit, 20 percent drive 5 to 10 mph over the limit, 20 percent drive 10 to 15 mph over the limit, 5 percent drive 30 to 35 mph over, 1 percent over 100 mph; 10 percent drive below 70 mph.

The distance from Dayton to Lakeside is treacherous — multiple accidents and injuries, many unreported. A 70 mph sign should contain two caveats — “It’s the law, not a suggestion” and “For every 10 mph in speed, a vehicle should stay one car length behind. If two cars are traveling 70 mph and being tailgated at 30 feet, if a deer jumps in front of you, the deer will be dead, you will be dead or seriously hurt, and your car totaled.

Signed, an angry 80-year-old physician. —Gary R. Jystad, Rollins