The Mystery Behind the Slowest Road in Twin Falls

When it comes to driving in Twin Falls, Idaho, complaints usually revolve around people zooming past at breakneck speeds. However, there's one peculiar road in town where the opposite is true. Washington Street, located on the south side of Twin, near Franz Bakery Outlet, seems to have fallen victim to a collective slowdown. Despite its speed limit being raised from 25 to 35 several years ago, most drivers apparently missed the memo. While this section of road isn't the absolute slowest in Twin, it appears to me that traffic here moves the slowest relative to the allowed limit. Let's dig into some possible reasons why driving here at the posted speed limit is almost impossible.

A Speed Limit Disconnect

Is it possible that long-time Twin Falls residents are to blame? How did the news of the speed limit change on Washington Street evade the majority of drivers? Perhaps it's a case of selective hearing, or maybe Twin Falls is just full of creatures of habit who are yet to embrace the new speed limits. Could it be that years after the speed limit change, motorists aren't able to reprogram themselves to keep up with the new limit?

The Distracted Driver Dilemma

I swear smartphones are the bane of modern drivers' existence. While it's both dangerous and irresponsible, it's hard to deny that people often find themselves glued to their screens while behind the wheel. Could this technological distraction be a contributing factor to the sluggish pace on Washington Street? It's not uncommon to spot drivers crawling along, their attention divided between the road and their virtual world. So, the next time you find yourself stuck behind a snail-like driver, take a peek and see if their eyes are fixated on their mobile device.

The Franz Bakery Outlet Curve Conundrum

One hypothesis that's been floated around is the perceived sharpness of the corner near Franz Bakery Outlet. I've talked to a handful of you who've said that this particular section of the road is ill-suited for speeds higher than 25 miles per hour, especially for trucks hauling freight. I'm willing to accept that a big rig with a load might need to slow down at this corner. It's hard enough for trucks to get up to speed on this stretch, even without the corner; but the average passenger car or truck should have no trouble navigating that bend at a modest 35 mph in normal driving conditions.

What am I missing?

Whether it's the old habits of long-time residents, exaggerated concerns about a seemingly harmless corner, or the distractions of mobile devices, I can't help but think there's a better explanation. If you can think of better explanations as to why we often find ourselves inching along Washington Street, be sure to leave a comment and let me know.