Corpus Christi officials approve ordinance to lower Whitecap Boulevard’s speed limit to improve driver and golf cart safety.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — City officials are proposing to lower the speed limit on a busy stretch of Whitecap Boulevard on North Padre Island, a move aimed at improving safety for both drivers and golf cart users. The change would reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph between Park Road 22 and Windward Drive.

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The proposal follows a Public Works engineering study prompted by increased traffic, a rise in golf cart use and public requests for clarification on what is street-legal in the area.

“We’ve seen increased uses with golf carts and some of the businesses populating in the area. We were asked to investigate the speeds along that corridor,” said René Couture, assistant director of Public Works.

Couture said the study confirmed the speed limit should be lowered to make enforcement possible and improve overall safety along the roadway.

“In our investigation we confirmed the speed limit should be 35 miles per hour and in order to make it enforceable and increase the safety in the area we had to take it to council to pass the actual ordinance,” Couture said.

The study also revealed widespread speeding. According to Precinct 4 Constable Kaylynn Paxson, some drivers reached speeds as high as 63 mph.

“When they did the study what they saw is almost every day there was almost 1,000 vehicles going over the speed limit and, on the weekend, if you can imagine that was like 1,500,” Paxson said.

Lowering the speed limit would also make the corridor golf-cart legal under city code, which prohibits carts on roadways marked above 35 mph. Some island residents say they welcome the change.

“The legality of it I was concerned with that, but I’m all for it. As long as I can keep cruising, they can set the speed limit at 22,” resident Nathan Churchill said.

If approved by City Council, new signage would be installed within about a month. The city plans a public education campaign and a two-week grace period before issuing citations.

“Hopefully lowering that speed limit a little bit to 35 will make drivers a little bit more mindful this is an area to slow down, be mindful of those around you and really enjoy island time,” Paxson said.