EZT councillor asking for reduced speed limit on all township residential streets

By Lee Griffi

“Forty is the new 50.”

That’s what East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Ward 3 Coun. Jeremy Smith called his notice of motion at last week’s regular township meeting. Smith’s motion asked “that council direct staff to prepare a comprehensive report, including costs, on the implementation of a 40 km/hr speed limit, reduced from 50 km/hr.”

No specific timeline was set in the motion, but Smith is asking for the report to come to a future meeting of the current council, which means before the end of October.

“Since 2017, since an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, municipalities have proactively reduced speed limits on residential streets, commonly to 40 km/hr,” said Smith. “Even 30 km/hr has been applied in instances where it’s deemed appropriate.”

He said many municipalities use what are called gateway signs at neighbourhood entry and exit points, something which eliminates the need for sign installations on every street.

“The impetus of bringing this to council and staff has been my firsthand experience, mostly in my own neighbourhood as a driver where I do feel 40 km/hr is an appropriate level, and as an avid walker and cyclist.”

Smith said road safety, as it relates to speed and driver behaviour, continues to be a hot topic of conversation with residents in the township.

“In Innerkip, we still have upwards of two kilometres of streetscape that does not have the added safety of a sidewalk. Think of a young mother with one child on foot and another in a stroller, or a senior navigating a roadway with their beloved dog.”

He added getting around on those streets, especially during the winter, is particularly challenging as snow buildup causes streets to narrow.

Smith also quoted the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals in his address to council. The group said traffic speeds have a huge influence on not only the prevention of incidents and injuries, but also societal choices on walking and cycling and the impact of motor-vehicle use on overall public health.

“The pedestrian survival rate rises measurably with speed reduction from just 20 per cent at the current 50 km/hr to 60 per cent at 40 km/hr and 90 per cent at 30 km/hr,” he added. “There should be consideration for that (30 km/hr) threshold, perhaps in our school zones and on other streets where the configuration is problematic.”

Ward 3’s other elected official, Coun. Matthew Gillespie, said the majority of people are currently driving below the current 50 km/hr maximum. He also asked what kind of cooperation EZT would need from the county if the township were to implement a blanket speed of 40 km/hr in residential areas, considering Oxford has a considerable amount of control over roadways.

“I guess that would be part of what staff would be looking at,” responded Mayor Phil Schaefer. “I don’t think there’s any indication we would be affecting any county roads. This is just residential streets in our neighbourhoods.”

EZT CAO Karen DePrest said the report would be a comprehensive one and it would note the township has no authority to make suggestions for county roads.

“We can only speak to our township roads. If council wanted to forward the report after it was compiled to the county for their consideration, we could do that.”

Coun. Scott Rudy said one of the biggest issues from residents during his last two terms on council has been speeding on county roads.

“I think we have the same issue on our residential streets. … It’s come up as an issue everywhere, and more municipalities are putting in safety zones or reduced speed, even to 30 (km/hr) on smaller roads. I’m agreeable to looking into it.”

Schaefer explained a township report would be timely since Oxford County is working on a Road Safety Strategy and the EZT mayor will sit on a committee.

“We have our first meeting in early July, and although that’s a county-based initiative, I think something like this could be interwoven with that to determine a strategy. I think we want to consult with the OPP and other municipalities who have done this.”

He added it would be a good idea to consult areas with more police protection than in EZT.

“The OPP frankly don’t have the capacity to be covering a lot of our residential streets in their patrols, but others may. Just get some feedback from them on how it’s going.”

Smith explained there are three streets in the Village of Tavistock where 40 km/hr zones currently exist. The councillor also expressed interest in other traffic-calming measures such as raised crossings, median islands, curb extensions, speed humps and speed feedback signs.

He has served as an elected official in EZT for 20 years and is seeking re-election for a sixth consecutive term in the fall. His motion passed unanimously.