diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/EventPane.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/EventPane.js
index 71bcb10242..ad5892e32b 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/EventPane.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Layer/EventPane.js
@@ -15,6 +15,18 @@
  *  - <OpenLayers.Layer>
  */
 OpenLayers.Layer.EventPane = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer, {
+    
+    /**
+     * APIProperty: smoothDragPan
+     * {Boolean} smoothDragPan determines whether non-public/internal API
+     * methods are used for better performance while dragging EventPane layers.
+     * When not in sphericalMercator mode, the smoother dragging doesn't
+     * actually move north/south directly with the number of pixels moved,
+     * resulting in a slight offset when you drag your mouse north south with
+     * this option on. If this visual disparity bothers you, you should turn 
+     * this option off, or use spherical mercator. Default is on.
+     */
+    smootherDragging: true,
 
     /**
      * Property: isBaseLayer
@@ -226,7 +238,8 @@ OpenLayers.Layer.EventPane = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Layer, {
 
                     var center = this.getMapObjectLonLatFromOLLonLat(newCenter);
 
-                    if (dragging && this.dragPanMapObject) {
+                    if (dragging && this.dragPanMapObject && 
+                        this.smoothDragPan) {
                         var resolution = this.map.getResolution();
                         var dX = (newCenter.lon - oldCenter.lon) / resolution;
                         var dY = (newCenter.lat - oldCenter.lat) / resolution;