Clearview council opts for 4-way stop

Clearview council has agreed to install a four-way stop at the intersection of Concession 10 and the 33/34 Sideroad Nottawasaga, near Nottawa.

Council members opted for the additional stop signs at its Nov. 24 meeting.

The four-way stop is preferable to rumble strips, as recommended by staff, because it is believed that problems at the intersection aren’t caused by poor visibility as much as driver behaviour.

“For some reason it just feels like a four-way stop and I think that’s the problem. I think there’s an expectation the people coming the other way are going to stop,” said councillor Brent Preston. “It’s not a perfect solution but it’s the best solution of all the ones before us.”

Staff recommended rumble strips be placed on Concession 10 on both the northbound and southbound lanes approaching the intersection in the spring, that the two-way tab be removed from the existing stop signs and that the signs be replaced with bigger ones.

Council unanimously agreed to proceed with converting the intersection to a four-way stop, which will require a bylaw be brought back to council for consideration.

Councillor Doug Measures said during the election campaign speeding was identified as the top issue. He said  the township should go for the gusto by adding bigger signs, signs that indicate stop signs ahead and even look into what it would cost to install flashing lights.

Councillor Shawn Davidson said the same issue was raised about nine years ago and changes made at that time weren’t enough so more needs to be done.

“It’s time to try to slow the intersection down,” he said.

CAO Steve Sage reported that there have been two fatal crashes at the intersection in recent history and collisions have been on the increase during the past decade. In all instances, the driver traveling northbound or southbound has been found to be at fault.

“Both staff, the OPP, and Clearview’s municipal engineers have had difficulty determining why drivers do not respect the rules of the road at this location,” reported Sage.

“Very serious charges have been laid as a result of these catastrophic collisions.

Unfortunately the occupants of the vehicles traveling eastbound and westbound who are not required to stop, have also been injured. Particularly in one instance where Clearview is now in litigation as a result of a personal injury.”

Larry Jackson spoke in support of converting to a four-way stop during public participation period Monday.

He said he was nearly killed when he was travelling west on the 33/34 Sideroad when a driver, heading north, failed to stop.

The financial implications will be examined as part of the process of implementing the bylaw.