Dear Editor,
Further to Hawley Lepine’s letter (THE EQUITY, Oct. 27), radar speed signs undoubtedly help slow the overall rate of traffic speed. The question is by how much? We can assume that the six signs put up in the municipality have been carefully placed for most effectiveness. But there has been no education campaign by the Municipality about the need for drivers to respect road safety requirements.
Have there been traffic accidents on Municipal of Pontiac roads? Any pedestrian fatalities recorded in the last five years? Or serious injuries? It would be useful as citizens to be informed by municipal councillors and administration about the cost, usefulness and safety of these signs. Unfortunately, these elected representatives remain mute on public policy. They shirk their responsibility to inform the citizens of the municipality of the need for this policy. The objectives of this radar indicators should be buttressed by facts which up to now have not been provided. Further, will speed be enforced if the signs don’t live up to their billing?
As a 30 year resident of the municipality, I have noted that there are many dangerous drivers on route 148. These infractions worry me more than the speed used in town. Trucks exceeding the speed limit by 20 km per hour. Trucks tailgating if you are going too slow. Cars and trucks passing on double lined sections of the highway, even on places where the highway rises up an incline. Those turning off the highway often wonder if that vehicle behind them is ever going to slow down, or will they be rear-ended? Many pass on the shoulder of the road.
I don’t believe the radar speed indicators the municipality is putting up will affect those highway situations. A better dialogue to have is why there isn’t more traffic enforcement and public education by MRC Collines police of safety issues on the highway. Trapping speeders is one thing, catching dangerous drivers in the act is a whole different matter. Signs won’t do it, neither will the lack of traffic enforcement.
Carl Hager, Gatineau, Que.
