Are drivers going too fast? Residents want to know

After two people lost their lives over the weekend on North Indian Canyon, we ask how big of a problem is speeding on Palm Springs roadways?

We stand for you, drawing attention to the issue to keep drivers safe.

Many motorists tell us speed is an issue on North Indian Canyon and Gene Autry Trail and want something to be done.

“It’s just horrible,” said Tamera Hester.

“Ya, it’s a fast street,” said another motorist.

The speed limit is for both North Indian Canyon and Gene Autry Trail is 55 mph, but people tell us they’ve seen cars go by a lot faster.

“Just people passing trying to get over, just reckless drivers trying to get somewhere where they can’t go anywhere fast. It’s just horrible,” said Hester.

We used our own radar gun in a non-scientific test to see just how fast people are really going.

On Gene Autry Trail most of the cars we found were going about the speed limit 55 mph to about 65 mph. We did find a few cars going about 30 mph over the speed limit.

On North Indian Canyon the top speed we clocked was about 70 mph, some trucks were going as slow as 40 mph.

“We literally come down Ramon Road to avoid Gene Autry because of all of the problems and the speeding,” said Hester.

“It’s when people are traveling over the posted speed limit is when dangers arise,” said Palm Springs police Lt. Mike Kovaleff.

Palm Springs police said it does patrol the area, but it can’t be out there all the time.

“Out traffic enforcement teams works that area, works Gene Autry and works the hundreds of miles of roadway throughout the city of Palm Springs. Unfortunately, we can’t be everywhere at once,” said Kovaleff.

These roads are also prone to windy conditions. Sand on the roadway makes higher speeds even more dangerous.

“That’s why there’s a speed limit, to keep everyone at safe speed,” said Kovaleff.

The city of Palm Springs is in the process of putting surveillance cameras on Gene Autry Trail and North Indian Canyon to better warn drivers of potential brown-out conditions when winds pick up.

There are no plans to change the speed limit.