Enhanced traffic enforcement anticipated in Palmerston, OPP inspector says

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Enhanced police enforcement can be anticipated for speeders on Queen Street South in Palmerston according to Wellington OPP inspector Paul Richardson.

The northern street was brought up by Warden Kelly Linton at a Police Services Board meeting on Nov. 10.

“So the 85th percentile speed was 65 in a 50 and there is no recommended enhanced enforcement … I just want to understand why 50 and above for the 85th percentile doesn’t require enhanced enforcement,” Linton said, directing his question to Richardson.

Black Cat speed radars, approved for purchase by the county last year at a cost of around $28,000, have been set up at 55 different locations around the county so far in 2021.

In November, the radars were deployed in Centre Wellington, Puslinch and Palmerston with no recommended enhanced enforcement for two locations in Centre Wellington and the location in Palmerston (decisions about enhanced enforcement for other locations in Centre Wellington and Puslinch are “pending”).

For 15 days, the speeds of 5,190 vehicles were monitored along Queen Street South in Palmerston by the Black Cat radars, revealing that 85 per cent of vehicles clocked were being driven at least 15km/h over the posted speed limit of 50km/h.

“It was actually something that, I believe from this report, had some conversations and I think you may see some enhanced enforcement in that area for that reason,” Richardson said in response to Linton.

“After a discussion I think we’ve determined that maybe some resource allocation there is appropriate …

“I think we can all see the need for some increased enforcement there and I think you can anticipate that,” he added without committing to the suggestion.

Reporter