Due to the large workforce of local factories, such as Kia, Adams Road has seen a major increase in traffic in recent years.  

The road has seen an increase to 834 vehicles per day and speeds have increased too, reaching an average of 58 miles per hour, although significantly higher speeds have been recorded. The speed limit on the road is 45 miles per hour.

Adams Road was never really expected to be a highly-traveled thoroughfare, but that’s what happens when an area grows. Now, the scenic road has turned into a sort of highway, connecting people commuting from the south to Kia and surrounding factories.

The Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and the Troup County Roads and Engineering Department have worked to be proactive in making the road safer. The TCSO and GSP have made it a point to patrol the area and in doing so have encouraged drivers to reduce their speeds, according to Troup County Engineer James Emery. 

There’s also new signage to ensure drivers know what the speed limit is and how fast they are driving. 

The two electronic signs are in place to tell drivers how quickly they are going and have already been a speed deterrent, lowering the average speed to 40.5 miles per hour. Emery said only 2.3 percent of vehicles now travel faster than the speed limit. 

We’re glad to see new signage has already made such a big difference on Adams Road. The signs cost $3,500, but it’s obvious that it was money well spent if it can save even one life.

We encourage the county to utilize a similar strategy on other “problem” roads, whether the issue is speeding, a tight curve or something else. It is clear that reducing speeds and increasing patrols makes our roads safer.