New Norwell traffic signs thank you for driving the speed limit

time2018/03/14

New Norwell traffic signs thank you for driving the speed limit

NORWELL – Drivers who see their speeds posted on electronic road signs don’t expect to ever get a “thank you” – but they do on one street in Norwell.

Police have installed two solar-powered, driver-friendly signs on High Street – one in each direction near the Hall Drive intersection. They flash a vehicle’s speed in green, and if the driver slows to the posted speed, they get the thank-you in orange.

“We hope the LED flashing signs will be helpful for motorists to be aware of their surroundings and speed,” Deputy Chief Carol Brzuszek said – so if they do take notice, she said they should get a bit of encouragement.

Drivers who stay above the speed limit get a different message – “slow down.”

Brzuszek said the department paid for the two signs with a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association), the town’s insurance provider.

She said the department hopes to get additional grants for more such signs on other streets. Police haven’t gotten direct feedback yet – the signs have only been operating a couple of days – but comments on the department’s Facebook page ranged from “very much appreciated” to a request for similar signs on Grove Street, another of Norwell’s most heavily-traveled roads.