Dear Editor:
The subject of speed cameras seems to have created quite a lot of discussion. There has been many well written Letters to the Editor on the subject. Both sides have been addressed in the Wellington Advertiser.
How can one argue with these cameras when it is a matter of children’s safety?
The Hillsburgh automated speed enforcement camera is located close to a fire station. Firefighters drive their own vehicles to the station to respond to emergencies. Are the volunteers going to get “tickets” if they exceed the posted 40km/h limit? If so who is responsible for these costs? Are town residents on the hook?
With all the residential growth that Wellington County will experience in the future, should we be locating schools in low-traffic areas? For example, the public school in Brisbane is located on a high-traffic county road (Wellington Road 124). Maybe this is an example of a poorly located school. Is there a 40km/h speed limit on Wellington Road 124 by Brisbane school?
Residents are somewhat uncomfortable with the aspect of county council’s secrecy regarding the cameras and the “partnership” with a private company on this matter. There seems to be a lot of talk of a “cash grab”.
I was in Huntsville the other day and I observed the local council’s approach to this subject. There are 40km/h signs on the roads in front of the schools (similar to Hillsburgh). These signs incorporate a border of flashing lights that are timed to only operate as required by the school. They seem to be effective and this safety message doesn’t involve the aspect of money.
My final comment is based on a resident telling me that when they now travel down Trafalgar Road in Hillsburgh, they seem to be spending more time watching their vehicle’s speedometer than watching the road ahead.
I am sure given time we will all get used to the new normal.
Dave Dorman,
Erin