Tiny Township council wants to take a closer look at the recurring road safety complaints that residents keep bringing up both individually and via surveys.
"Couple of things that come up are speed bumps, portable signs, methodology for increasing or decreasing speed limits, and costs by the OPP," Coun. Cindy Hastings said during a recent meeting. "I'd just like to see it all summarized, it seems to be recurring. We all know about that and the costs associated with those types of programs and items."
Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma agreed that based on the two deputations received in the last month or so, there's a clear message being sent to the township that it needs to be doing something to help mitigate traffic issues.
"I'm not necessarily supportive of dropping speed limits to 30 km/hr," he said, adding he wasn't sure what the enforcement implications would be under the Highway Traffic Act. "I would love to hear about the photo radar signs. I don't know if having more signs makes more sense. Maybe the township can use our social media to help spread this message. Maybe we could do monthly road safety messages and keep it front of the mind."
As far as installing more solar speed measuring signs is concerned, Walma said it's an ongoing budget item.
After having looked at both survey results in detail, said Coun. Tony Mintoff, he has come to the conclusion that signs don't work and the electronic radar speed signs don't seem to help either.
However, he said, he wanted staff to continue to look at the option of photo radar.
"We've already endorsed a resolution for public works to consider the practicality of it for the next budget," said Mintoff.
Coun. Gibb Wishart said council must remember that it takes two to tango.
"I think we're trying to impress the world that it's totally the responsibility of the people who drive on the road," he said. "A good campaign of training for kids and for adults who walk on the road and handicapped people, especially, that it is not a safe circumstance when you don't have shoulders or special lanes people can walk in. Unfortunately, there's generally only one loser if there's an accident. It's got to be a two-pronged effort. We need to make it very clear that walking and self-conveyance is something very dangerous."
Wishart suggested that staff survey various municipalities that have similar summer populations to find out how they're trying to "convey and train" people to walk on the road safely.
Tim Leitch, director of public works and acting CAO, said staff is in the habit of recording complaints from residents to be used for creating safety measures.
"The radar is something we're putting on our budget for next year," said Leitch, who also answered Walma's concerns. "We're in control of the speed limits we want to put in. As long as we have a bylaw for it, they become enforceable through the Highway Traffic Act."
Staff will bring forward a report at a future meeting.
