Speed laws enforced in Pine Haven

A question arose last week about the sheriff’s department’s authority to cite drivers for speeding on municipal streets. Deputy Joshua Throckmorton answered the query at the council meeting last Tuesday night, saying, “Deputies have the authority to enforce any statute within the county, whether it is federal land, municipalities or wherever it is”.

This includes ticketing anyone traveling over the speed limit on any publicly traversed roadway.

Councilwoman Karla Brandenburg asked Throckmorton about the procedure on streets within Pine Haven that display no posted limits. The deputy responded, “Basically, if it is not posted, I’ve always just considered the speed limit is 20 miles per hour within the city limits.”

Town Attorney Patrick Carpenter advised posting a sign coming into town warning people of the 20 mile per hour limit unless otherwise posted, covering all municipal roadways.