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Speed can kill, so we need better enforcement

There isn’t anyone who doesn’t complain about the speed of traffic.

It is also a hot topic at council meetings and I am sure the police get an earful every time they have to deal with the public. Everyone seems to be in a big hurry.

Speed can kill, so we need better enforcement Back to video

I am sure not all of the folks driving at high speeds are rushing to get somewhere. People don’t like to follow, so they pass and drive dangerously fast. I think the whole risky, scary part is appealing to much of humanity, and it’s just more fun than following some old, slow poke like me.

How many of you think the safety on highways 401 and 403 has decreased since they raised the speed limit from 100 to 110 kilometres per hour? Me neither. I think those who always drive over the speed limit will continue to do so. Many have said “they,” meaning the police, don’t stop you going 10 over because it is considered a minimum overage, so going 90-plus in an 80 is OK and 120-plus in a 110  is acceptable.,

My research from studies at McMaster and Toronto universities shows there has only been a slight increase of collisions on the 400-series highways due to the increase of speed limits, but there has been a significant increase in fatalities following the increase.

Otterville, as well as many other communities, have installed those lighted speed indicators coming into the village. I think they work to some extent for some people, but eventually many just don’t even notice them. Some slow down for the sign, thinking maybe they are being recorded, but speed up as soon as they pass. From my perspective, it sure hasn’t slowed traffic in front of my house, and I know it’s even worse out in the country.

I have noticed how stop signs don’t really mean stop to a whole lot of folks any more than speed limits. Slow down, maybe, but not stop and that traffic violation, as we all know, also causes many crashes and fatalities. There is always an uproar after a deadly traffic collision. That is when everyone knows collisions could be prevented if only …

I agree something needs to be done but must acknowledge it’s not the fault of the road. It just lays there. Widening, straightening, removing hills, adding stop signs, rumble strips, speed cushions, flashing lights, traffic-calming devices, raising the speed limit or any number of speed-limiting mechanisms are not going to solve the problem of people ignoring the laws.

All speeders need to be stopped, regardless of how minimum the overage, and hit with huge fines or loss of licence. I think we can all agree that would convince more people to be conscious of their speed. I follow the rules because I can’t afford the fines, but many people need to discover the consequence will really hurt financially and possibly curb their lifestyles or even the loss of their vehicles.

It’s a manmade problem and needs a painful, manmade resolution — enforcement. The central obstacle to solving this problem is lack of sufficient numbers of police officers to enforce the laws, efficiently and effectively. Residents complain they never see police, but I see police drive through Otterville almost every day and I am sure they visit all municipalities regularly, but I must say driving through does not give adequate insight into what is actually happening. I have invited them to sit on my porch and just watch for a while to get a better understanding of the problem but have received no RSVP.

How many more people will suffer life changing injuries or families will mourn and grieve the loss of a loved one due to a traffic collision because someone didn’t obey the law?

twocentsworth40@gmail.com

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