Duane Hicks
Motorists take note: a second electronic speed sign has been ordered and will be arriving here by month’s end.
Last September, a permanent speed sign was installed at the corner of King’s Highway and Holmes Avenue to remind motorists just how fast they’re going, as requested by the local Police Services Board.
While budgeted to buy two, the town wanted to wait to gauge its effectiveness before purchasing a second one.
Rick Wiedenhoeft, who sits on the Police Services Board, said he feels the current speed sign is effective and looks forward to seeing another one in place.
He noted OPP detachment commander Insp. Steve Shouldice has provided the PSB with data as to vehicle speeds, and most vehicles have been “within the range of speed control.”
Wiedenhoeft added that feedback he’s received, and responses to a web poll by the Fort Frances Times earlier this year, indicate most people are in favour of speed signs and feel they’re either somewhat or very effective at getting motorists to curb their speed.
The sign also has been useful in providing data (i.e., giving an a “car count” of vehicles passing through the area).
“It’s not only good for maybe controlling speed but providing data the town needs when they go forward to the ministry and say, ‘Hey, we need more stop signs here, more stop lights, or we need to revamp the road here due to heavy traffic,'” Wiedenhoeft explained.
The location of the second speed sign has yet to be determined by the town, but Wiedenhoeft said the PSB is suggesting a couple of spots.
“Colonization Road West is a fairly high-speed area so I think it may go either there, or Fifth Street–people tend to run fast there,” he remarked.
Wiedenhoeft admitted the only drawback to these types of speed signs is that they’re not portable.
As such, when they’re in the same spot for too long, they run the risk of becoming “part of the landscape.”
“People ignore them then,” he conceded.
