Resident raises concerns about speeding on Victoria Road South
ABERFOLYE – Puslinch Council will consider including speed mitigation measures on Victoria Road in the 2027 budget after a resident made an impassioned plea on July 15.
Paul Martin, who lives on Victoria Road South between Wellington Road 34 and Gilmour Road, said Black Cat data collected in 2023 indicates Victoria Road South saw 23,747 cars over a 100-day period and 85 per cent of those drivers were going more than 75km/h.
The Black Cat is a radar recorder designed for collecting accurate traffic data without the need for sensors in the road. It collects speeds, traffic volumes and lane usage.
The speed limit is 60km/h in this section and there are only two speed signs indicating when the speed drops from 80km/h.
Martin said there are an average of 25 accidents per year at this location – two or three a month.
“It’s a dangerous situation,” he said. “I ask what you suggest we could do.”
He hoped council would consider placing an electronic signs that flashes the speed of passing vehicles, and perhaps more or larger speed limit signs.
He was told that often speed mitigation measures are added when a road is reconstructed.
Public works, parks and facilities director Mike Fowler said the township improved Victoria Road South eight years ago and it’s not due again until 2035.
“It would be council’s decision to expedite it,” he said.
Councillor Sara Bailey thought that was a long time to wait to address a safety issue and wondered if money for larger speed signs could be found now in the budget.
Councillor Jessica Goyda noted the township plans to purchase more electronic speed signs in the coming years and asked if there’s a list of priority roads and if Victoria Road could be included in such a list.
“Speeding is everywhere,” said Mayor James Seeley, noting there are many complaints about Gore Road as well.
“Everybody wants flashing signs.”
He noted the township is monitored by the OPP, which is data-driven in terms of where and when to set up speed enforcement.
Up-to-date data will help the resident’s argument, he said, but the township doesn’t own its own Black Cat device.
In the end, council decided to address the matter of speeding on Victoria Road South during budget deliberations, when council will also consider purchasing electronic speed signs and perhaps a Black Cat.
