Let’s not kid ourselves, speed decisions are political

The decision to reduce speeds on certain roads in Clearview Township is a political one.

Although informed by traffic studies, the decisions being made are political – at the end of the day, voted on by politicians who are representing their constituents. Like it or not, that is democracy.

There are people on both sides of the speed reduction issue – those for and against – who say that certain people shouldn’t be the ones to decide what the posted speed limit is, that others should have the right to decide. But who? With our current political system, which we hold so dear, it’s our elected council members.

It comes down to what is safe? Are our roads safe?

That is subjective, and again political. To say the roads aren’t safe (when not talking about accidents and fatalities) is akin to saying the road isn’t pretty.

There have been problem areas that have been so blatantly dangerous and deadly (Concession 12 Sunnidale and County Road 10 comes to mind) that steps were taken to improve sightlines at the intersection, and even that was a process initiated at the council table.

It starts with someone – usually a resident – lodging a complaint with a council members.

Clearview councillors, and most others, will tell you that they hear complaints from many people about traffic and speeding on all of the roads in their ridings.

The previous council was sympathetic to speeding concerns, and as a result a number of steps were taken, including the purchase of radar signs, a traffic study was commissioned, a traffic calming policy was adopted. As council began discussing the issue of posted speed limits, councillors were very aware that if the speed limits were to be reduced on the 10th Concession and Fairgrounds Road, they had better be lowered on Concession 6.

Make no mistake these are all political decisions.

It is impossible to please everyone but perhaps what has fuelled suspicion about who has each of the councillor’s ear is the lack of public consultation, conducted in an open forum.

There have been surveys and polls done by neighbours, but council and staff have not conducted their own consultation, other than receiving e-mails and phone calls. What we are talking about here is a good old fashioned public meeting or open house, when neighbours come together and look each other in the eye, and attempt to understand the other side’s position. It can be done virtually, but we are getting to the point when it can be done in person.

The traffic calming policy, which opponents say hasn’t been followed, does include this type of public engagement.

A motion to reconsider the approved speed reductions will be discussed at Monday’s council meeting, maybe then there will be an opportunity for more input.