Marthasville officials say the city won't become a speed trap like other nearby towns that have built reputations of issuing tickets to generate revenue. Mayor Dale Verges acknowledged concerns from people who have questioned the decision to lower the speed limit on Highway 47 inside the city limits. "Most people I've talked to understand that it needs to be slowed down," he said. "There is a perception that this could turn into a speed trap. I want to be the first person to say . . . we don't want to turn into a New Melle or Foristell." Following a recommendation made by MoDOT one month earlier, aldermen voted 4-0 Tuesday night to pass an ordinance lowering the speed limit on Highway 47. The new speed limit will be lowered to 45 mph from 55 mph in the city limits from Martin Funeral Home to just south of One Street. MoDOT officials preferred the change based on the increased number of driveways on Highway 47 and crashes. Police Chief Eugene Jenkins pointed out that he gave out only one ticket for speeding on Highway 47 last year. In figures provided by Jenkins, 15 speeding tickets were handed out by the city in 2009, eight fewer than in the previous year. Since 2003, the most speeding tickets issued were 57 in 2005. At the same time, Marthasville police gave 104 warnings last year and 107 in 2008. Verges also suggested motorists be given some flexibility early on as they become adjusted to the change. "Use your own best judgment," he told Jenkins. "If somebody is going 70 (mph), obviously they are causing a problem. When the signs go up, as people get used to it, give a lot of warnings." At last month's meeting, MoDOT traffic engineer Brian Untiedt said a recent study showed that the average speed on the north side of the city was 52 mph or less from 85 percent of the vehicles who traveled that stretch. In the southern portion, the average vehicle speed was 56 mph. Despite having only five accidents reported in 2008 (four) and 2007 (one), the annual average accident rate has nearly tripled over the past five years, according to MoDOT officials. The crashes also have led to multiple fatalities in the past couple of years. The lower speed limit had been favored by governmental officials and family members who had relatives killed along the stretch inside the city. Last October, Warren County commissioners reiterated their desire to see the speed limit dropped while meeting with MoDOT Northeast District Engineer Paula Gough. The development of property on the north side that included the construction of Heritage Bank, Citizens Bank and the Infield Sports Bar and Grill has doubled the number of driveways in recent years. The intersection of Highway 47 and One Street also has been considered a problem spot. While the board approved the ordinance, the speed limit won't go into effect until MoDOT crews begin switching the signs. Though the speed limit will be lowered throughout the entire stretch of the city, Untiedt noted last month the speed study data recommend only the north side to be lowered. He said the southern side didn't meet the requirements due to the lack of driveways and accidents in that area.