Dear Editor:
RE: Hard to believe, July 10.
I too have been following our community discussion about photo radar. Michael von Massow brought up some very good points, especially around the allocation of funds.
We at Green Lanes have created an action team to advocate for the allocation of funds generated by the cameras to go directly to fixing the issues of safety and speed on that section of Belsyde Avenue in Fergus. There is a whole array of options beyond plastic speed bumps, paint, and large signs that can be used to slow cars down to the speed we are after. This list is what is commonly referred to as “low hanging fruit.” Things we do that might move the needle a little bit and doesn’t cost much.
Presently, each car lane on Belsyde Avenue is 15 feet wide. One study shows that for every foot above 11 feet the speed increases. When lane widths are 3.3 feet greater, speeds are predicted to be 15km/h faster. With that increase in speed, caused by lane widths, crash rates increase as well as the severity of the crash. So, narrow the lanes.
Belsyde is also a gateway road (higher speeds) connecting us to other towns, so build a proper road entrance (gateway) into Fergus. Pedestrian crossings alleviates the “moving fence” that Belsyde is at the moment and if done at the highest of standards (raised) we not only connect this neighbourhood to public assets (school, church, long-term care, splash pad) we slow traffic down, so build two raised crossings.
With photo radar money we have the opportunity to really fix the problem to such an extent that cameras may not be needed. No need to pick the low hanging fruit. The money generated so far can be viewed as “user pay” instead of a tax grab.
This different perspective of the revenue is more generous to our council who voted in the cameras and better aligned to what we feel is the true motivation of our council: that is, to create safer streets.
John Scott,
Executive director, Green Lanes, Elora