Area drivers that travel Lentz Trail need to slow down.

That's because the road's speed limit was reduced earlier this week from 55 mph to 45 mph.Sean Brown, safety press officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said the signs stating the speed limit change were posted on Wednesday.The reason for the speed reduction was because PennDOT received a letter on May 24, from state Rep. Keith McCall's office on behalf of his constituents, asking for a speed survey to be completed along Lentz Trail.PennDOT assessed the risk factors along the road, and completed the survey to see if a speed reduction was necessary."We determined through the survey that a speed change was warranted," Brown said, noting that originally Lentz Trail was an unposted road, meaning that because no signs were present the speed limit was 55 mph.Brown added that PennDOT will review road speeds if they receive requests.McCall said the reason his office asked for the speed limit to be looked at was because of complaints he had received from area residents."My office received complaints about the volume and speed of the traffic on the road, and considering the increased number of residential homes and school bus stops along the roadway plus tourist attractions like Mauch Chunk Lake Park, private camp sites and the Carbon County Environmental Education Center slowing motorists makes perfect sense," he said. "The PennDOT survey data validates the concerns of the citizens who contacted me and proves that lowering the speed limit will improve safety for individuals who live along the route."Lentz Trail, which is East White Bear Drive, stretches from Route 902 in Summit Hill to Jim Thorpe, where it turns into West Broadway.