Could Bozeman See A Massive Change With Our City Streets?

Some folks will be happy about these possible changes, but most locals won't be thrilled.

The only way to get around Bozeman fast is by driving. Bozeman has been expanding with new businesses and residents for years. This means new roads to get around town.

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Are there intersections in Bozeman that are constantly slammed with traffic? Yes. Could it get better? Yes. That's why this news could benefit Bozeman's streets or make traffic worse.

KBZK reports that after the death of a beloved school teacher in 2022, residents pushed the city to lower speed limits on city streets. The city dropped the speed limits this past week, including on one of the busiest streets in Bozeman, Ferguson Avenue.

The plan for the city is to lower the speed limits on several of Bozeman's busiest streets. The speed limits won't drop drastically, but the new signs will be displayed soon.

The city wants vehicles to drive at safer speeds around parks and schools. With slower speeds, they hope there will be a drop in accidents, and drivers will be able to react quicker in case someone enters the road.

We understand where residents and the city are coming from with this move. They want people to be more responsible on the roads and be aware of what's around them. That's a great idea.

The only problem, that's not the only issue with drivers.

Distracted drivers are a big reason why many accidents around Bozeman, not the speed limits. Bozeman has a distracted driving law, but it needs to be a harsher penalty for it to be taken more seriously.

Lowering the speed limit on certain roads seems like a bad idea. There are so many streets that get backed up by traffic that lowering the speed limit could make the traffic jams worse.

We understand what the residents and the city wants to happen with this plan, but we can't help but see this as a double edge sword.