Some people drive pretty fast on Highway 98 as they come into Wake Forest. Too fast for Einer Bohling, a driven man whose driveway empties right into what he calls a danger zone. Bohling wanted the speed limit reduced from 45 to 35.
"I went back in my little office back there and typed a letter to the governor," Bohling says. "I figured what the heck, he's my governor, too, right?"
The governor wrote back, saying he would refer the road concerns to thesecretary of transportation.
The secretary wrote Bohling back, saying the state would not reduce the speed limit. With the cars still zipping by, Bohling started a petition drive and gathered 72 signatures.
"It's a democracy," he says. "I hope they don't ask for a recount on the petitions, but we did get those signatures and people want a safe place to be."
After months of phone calls, letters and the petition, the DOT changed its mind -- the speed limit will be reduced to 35.
Now, Bohling can look at Highway 98 and say he changed the speed limit. He says others can do the same thing.
"I would encourage people that if you've got a problem, get on it, do something about it, talk to your neighbors and friends," he says.
The Wake Forest Town Commission must sign off on the speed limit reduction. Commissioner Kim Marshall says the measure should pass without opposition next week.
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