Shore Dr. speed limit changes in effect

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Speed limit changes are coming fast to Virginia Beach's Shore Drive. Several pedestrian accidents along the busy roadway prompted city officials to lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on June 1.

First thing Tuesday morning, crews were out installing the new signs to span from North Great Neck to Pleasure House Road.

In all, the city replaced 18 speed limit signs; nine signs on either side of the road.

The city hopes the new speed limit will encourage drivers to yield to people trying to cross the road.

Driver Becky Osborne told WAVY.com she hopes so too, "but it seems like a lot of [the accidents] are late night kinds of things..." She continued, "I'm not sure its going to make much difference, but if it does that would be great."

The Department of Public Works plans to evaluate whether or not the speed limit change is helping crack down on pedestrian accidents in the area and will present that data to the city on a six month basis.

The speed limit decision is one part of a three-step process to improve safety on Shore Drive. Other steps include: flashing lights at existing pedestrian crossings and increasing sidewalk space and pedestrian crosswalks.