Education is key

Dear Editor:

RE: Speed limit on all Rockwood streets to be reduced to 40km/h, May 28.

I obey the posted speed limits, and am concerned with the safety of young and older alike. However, I am concerned with the recent committee’s recommendation to Guelph/Eramosa council to reduce the speed limit within all of Rockwood to 40 km/h. 

First of all, the article states that “the prevailing speeds  (85th percentile) were below the posted speed [limit] in all but two locations in Rockwood.” 

In those locations, “the prevailing speed exceedance was nominal and generally outside the enforcement range.” 

I do not see how this justifies changing the speed limit for all of the town.

Secondly, I do not think that such an action really addresses the situation. When I was a young person, we were taught to embrace the responsibilities that driving entails: consideration, respect and safety for ourselves as well as for others who share the roads. 

As we learned to drive, this extended to other drivers, pedestrians and the laws of the roads. It seems that teaching has been hijacked and replaced by more and more regulation. 

Good sense and safety have been neglected. Children are distracted by cell phones, bicycles, scooters and inattentiveness. 

Drivers are in too much of a hurry to focus on others. A “need for speed” prevails over safety. I think that the time and expense that is required to change the speed limits, signage and debates on the issue would be much better spent on education of old and young. 

I realize that this requires commitment and great thought from all of us, but everything good comes with struggle. Are we willing to fight for a better way?

Educate rather than legislate! You cannot legislate stupidity. 

Beryl McDougall,
Rockwood