Atlanta drivers will start to see signs on Interstate 285 that will adjust the speed limit according to traffic and weather patterns.

Georgia Department of Transportation crews began taking the black bags off the electronic signs and turned them on yesterday. The signs are currently working in Fulton, DeKalb, and Cobb counties.

GDOT says that the new signs will not only increase the speed limit, but also adjust the speed limit when traffic gets heavy, allowing drivers to know when to slow down.  One of the worst spots for traffic in the metro is at the end of I-285 when one Interstate 20 interchanges to another. GDOT’s chief engineer Russell McMurry says that because of this, the number one reason for the new signs is safety.

For the majority of the day, the signs will read 65 miles per hour, but at times of congestion like rush hour, accidents, or bad weather, the speed limit will move in 10 mile-per-hour increments and can reach as low as 35 miles per hour. GDOT says the lower mile-per-hour readings will maybe account for only four hours total each day and remain at 65 mph between 18 and 20 hours each day.

McMurray explains that, “If everyone can comply and try to drive a similar speed limit, and is not having the slamming on brakes, they can actually get there faster.”

Many commuters are not sure whether the changing speed limits will help and say that it could cause confusion on what the actual speed limit is, causing more people to possibly get pulled over and ticketed.

GDOT asks commuters to stay positive and give the new technology a chance. If you are moving to Atlanta, be sure to pay attention to the changing speeds.