The Alabama Department of Transportation conducted studies and found the speed limit on Highway 84 West and 231 North should be lowered.

They say the proposed change is due to high traffic counts and continued commercial growth.

"They’re not trying to create a speed trap or create problems for folks, they're just trying to get people's attention so they know where the growth is in both residential and commercial development; it needs to be reduced," says Charles Metzger of Traffic Engineer Services.

There is also hope for a reduction in motor vehicle crashes.

"I feel like it’s gonna’ help. I don’t know how much its gonna’ reduce, but it can reduce the severity of the wrecks and hopefully, [the] number of wrecks overall," says Sgt. Tim Ward of the Traffic Safety Division.

The speed limits would be reduced from 65 to 55, then down to 45 and 40. The idea is the closer to Dothan city limits, the lower the speed limit

Sgt. Ward says "The people that are gonna’ exceed the speed limit by a large amount, they're not gonna’ get any breaks. They’ll still be subject to any speeding fines that may come about."

Officials say if and when the speed limit change takes place, it will be a while before motorists take notice and hit the brakes.

The request to change the speed limit will be on next week's city agenda; there will be no cost to the city.

Once the city passes it, it must go through the state for approval.