Woolwich residents, council members urge region to reconsider rules on busy road

Some residents of Woolwich Township say they are concerned certain regional road safety measures are doing more harm than good. 

People attended the Woolwich council meeting Tuesday night to express concerns about speed limit changes and incoming speed cameras on Lobsinger Line. Currently, the new rule has motorists reduce their speed from 80 km/h to 40 km/h when abruptly entering a school zone on the busy road. 

Residents at the meeting argued this speed decrease in such a short distance actually increases the risk of danger, citing experiences of road rage and passing attempts from frustrated drivers who may abandon safe driving in their anger. 

Resident Cheryl Nyusa told councillors about personal experiences with frustrated drivers and argued that the schools on Lobsinger Line are well-protected and have no roadside bus stops. 

"We need a balanced approach to ensure the safety of the commuters in our community while also ensuring the safety of the pedestrian traffic," Nyusa said. 

The report in the meeting's agenda package noted that "solutions that improve safety on urban streets are not always appropriate for rural roads."

The motion, which supports Mayor Sandy Shantz's advocacy in front of the regional council, also suggests putting flashing lights in school zones instead of active speed cameras. 

St. Clement's resident Randy Spruyt told council members that there seems to be no unusual collision patterns involving pedestrians or cyclists within school zones on regional roads. Spruyt said that with a speed camera in the area and impatient drivers on the road, compliance with the reduced speed limit might lead to an accident. 

"I genuinely fear for my safety traversing this section of road. This is a commercial traffic thruway, non-urban side street," he said.

A petition started by Woolwich Township residents that closes on Thursday has more than 660 signatures. Delegates claimed Tuesday that 97.9 per cent of those who signed it explicitly support the cause for a closer look at road safety rules on Lobsinger Line. 

Councillors and delegates also discussed the varying needs of all 27 school zones in the region and said there must be a distinction between what's needed in rural and urban area. 

Township councillors passed a motion to ask for flashing lights in school zones instead of speed cameras.

Tuesday's motion will be sent to councils at the Region of Waterloo as well as to the townships of Wilmot, Wellesley and North Dumfries to encourage discussion.