Road Watch coming to Puslinch

Drivers who disobey the rules of the road in Puslinch may soon have additional eyes on them, reporting their transgressions.

Puslinch council has provided in-principle support of a Road Watch program in the township, following the recommendation from its Community Oriented Policing (COP) committee.

“We have a [sub-committee] of four working very hard on this project and the OPP are very pleased that we in Pus­linch are willing to go forward with this program,” said Glenna Smith, chairman of the COP committee, in a recent report to council.

Smith’s letter was seeking approval of a $3,500 budget to have program signs installed in 15 locations throughout Pus­linch on both township and county roads.

According to roadwatch.ca, the program was started in 1993 after a fatal accident in Caledon to encourage drivers “to make responsible decisions behind the wheel” and to en­sure “the community’s stance on road safety is widely known and respected.”

Councillor Matthew Bul­mer said, “The signs act as a deterrent,” but the program still relies on local residents to play a role. As such, he added, training and educating locals is an important part of the program.

Councillor Susan Fielding called the program a “win-win” for everyone involved and councillor Dick Visser said it is very important to have it in place in Puslinch.

Mayor Brad Whitcombe said OPP Inspector Scott Smith mentioned at a recent Police Services Board meeting the OPP is interested in perhaps expanding the program across Wellington?County.

Whitcombe called the $3,500 a modest budget for the signs and said he expects the expenditure to be approved during budget deliberations.

 

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