A request to lower the speed limit on Sideroad 15 in the township has been denied.
CAO Brad McRoberts reported at the Dec. 8 Mapleton council meeting that the township received a written request to have the speed on Sideroad 15 between Wellington County Road 8 and Concession 12 reduced from 80 to 60km/h.
McRoberts reported traffic count data collected in 2015 indicates the average speed in the area is well below the posted speed limit, “suggesting that chronic excessive speed is not an issue.” However, he noted the traffic count speed data indicates up to 50 per cent of the users are exceeding the posted speed limit “suggesting that more frequent enforcement may be required.”
Using the Canadian Guidelines for Establishing Posted Speed Limits, McRoberts said staff concluded the 80km/h speed limit is appropriate.
“We do recommend however that staff request that police services periodically provide some enforcement,” he added.
Councillor Dennis Craven said he favoured reducing speed in the area.
“I think I can support reducing the speed limit. I would have trouble living with myself if someone was driving through there at excessive speed and some children were hit,” Craven stated.
McRoberts said, “One of risks we have – this is a chronic issue for municipalities – posting speed reduction signs become political decisions. But by using Canadian Guidelines for Setting Speed Limits, it makes it consistent.”
McRoberts added it might be different “if there were circumstances that were creating the concerns in terms of configuration of the road or the number of pedestrians that might be there.”
McRoberts offered to create a draft policy for council to consider when evaluating such requests in the future.
Councillor Lori Woodham favoured establishing a policy, “I would like to see this become policy – being able to have traffic count, data,” she stated. “I don’t want to have that political pull. This report is well written and it’s factual and I support it.”
Councillor Michael Martin also favoured creating a policy.
Craven urged council to take a cautious approach, noting motorists commonly drive at speeds above posted limits.
“We know that if we put a 40 kilometre speed limit instead of 60 that doesn’t mean everybody’s going to drive 40.”
A resolution to accept McRoberts’ report and leave the speed limit unchanged passed with only Craven opposed.
