During a recent City Council meeting, Kristy Tankersley, a resident of Sebastian, pleaded for a reduction in residential speed limits from 30 mph to 25 mph.
She cited frequent speeding on neighborhood streets, particularly where Layport Drive and Dempsey Avenue intersect with Barber Street, as a growing danger to her community. Many motorists use these streets to cut through to access Fleming Street and Barber Street.
“On weekends and after school, there are roughly 4–12 kids playing in my yard. This area is densely populated with elementary- to middle-school-aged children, as well as other wonderful community members walking their pets,” Tankersley told Sebastian Daily. “I suggested speed bumps and lowering the residential speed limit to 20 mph. They investigated speeding versus lowering the speed limit and then chose to put speed limit signs in my yard, validating a speed of 30 mph. However, with respect to a residence district, a county or municipality may set a maximum speed limit of 20 or 25 miles per hour on local streets and highways after an investigation determines that such a limit is reasonable. It is not necessary to conduct a separate investigation for each residence district.”
Tankersley argued that the current 30 mph limit is making it increasingly hazardous for kids and residents to walk in her neighborhood. She pointed the finger at the City Council, accusing them of neglecting the issue.
“Not one residential street in Sebastian should be 30 mph for the safety of every child and community member in this city,” she said.
To get the city’s perspective, we reached out to a couple of council members. Ed Dodd, a City Council member, explained that a recent speed study showed the 85th percentile of drivers traveling at around 33 mph. Based on those findings, City Manager Brian Benton recommended adding more speed limit signs and increasing enforcement in the area.
“I understand that the residents want us to reduce the speed limit to 25 mph. Doing so would require a lot of research and outreach by the city staff. For everyone who wants the lower speed limit, there will be people who do not want it changed,” Dodd told Sebastian Daily. He added that he’d support another study if the Council agreed to revisit the matter.
City Council member Chris Nunn offered a different take, emphasizing that the city is already stepping up efforts to enforce the existing speed limit.
“We are very concerned about every child, but when a speed study shows that a perceived issue is not really an issue, the only solution is identification of the speed limit and enforcement,” Nunn said.
Tankersley proposed speed bumps as an alternative, but she claims city officials told her first responders are opposed to them. Undeterred, she spoke with local firefighters who, according to her, said they’d prefer speed bumps over responding to an injured child.
Determined to press the issue, Tankersley and other residents plan to speak at the next City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 6 p.m. She’s already gathered support and is circulating a petition that has garnered signatures.
“I typed a petition and had 20–30 signatures. I could easily get more, but I was working and trying to get as many before the meeting as I could,” she said.
Florida Law and Speed Limits
The debate has also sparked questions about whether Sebastian can legally adjust its speed limits. Under Florida Statutes, Chapter 316, Section 316.189, municipalities like Sebastian have the authority to alter speed limits on city-controlled streets.
The default residential speed limit in municipal zones is typically 30 mph. Still, local governments can adjust it based on traffic conditions, safety concerns, or road design—provided they conduct an engineering and traffic study. Any changes must be clearly posted to be enforceable.
While cities like Miami and Orlando have lowered limits to 25 mph or 20 mph in certain residential areas, Sebastian’s leadership appears cautious, balancing resident demands with data from their speed study. For now, Tankersley and her neighbors are gearing up for another round at the next city council meeting, hoping to tip the scales in favor of lower speed limits.
