Jul
4
Readers Write
I advocate for reduced speeds within James Bay - specifically, all
streets leading to the Five Corners 4 way stop light in the heart of
our community. I suggest 30km for Menzies from Superior to Dallas,
all of Toronto, Simcoe from Oswego to Government and Oswego from
Superior to Dallas. Why can't the city decide and enforce such a
reduced speed limit for us? Only Montreal has 30km, and it's
certainly less travelled than the streets I've identified.
In other parts of the city these streets are 30km: Foul Bay from the
water to Fort; Fernwood from Fort to Bay; Rockland from Cook to Oak
Bay; Cook from Southgate to Dallas. Why shouldn't James Bay be
permitted the same?
The Five Corners stoplight is routinely ignored by at least 50% of
drivers who choose to only slow down and cruise through, testing the
will of other drivers and daredevil pedestrians in/at the crosswalks.
Having the bus stop so close to the intersection is problematic in
that the bus always butts into the crosswalk, and impedes driver
vision for a right turn off Toronto. Pedestrians must be very
cautious at the Five Corners.
I'm curious to know if the drivers who don't exercise due caution,
courtesy and rules of the road are James Bay residents. So many
drivers are in a hurry at this intersection. And given the propensity
to jaywalk between Thrifty's and Pharmasave on Simcoe, an accident is
waiting to happen.
To calm traffic on Simcoe in particular, I'm in favour of speed bumps,
and/or daytime parking to slow the vehicles. What about widening the
north sidewalk? It's much too narrow for wheelchairs and pedestrians
to pass, especially with existing utility poles.
Signs and speed monitors at the James Bay Community School on Oswego
are not effective. Only when drivers see their electronic speed
registered - well within the school block - do they slow down. Some
are completely blissful of any signage at all and sail on by.
As well, we could use 30km signage on the streets identified. I
know....we're told posting speed limits don't change driver
behaviour. However, with the return of increased community police
involvement (as mentioned by our new police Chief), along with posted
speed limits, monitoring of driver and pedestrian behaviour at the
Five Corners, we might just benefit from improved safety on James
Bay's internal major roads.
We'll get no (satisf)action unless residents speak up and tell
Victoria councillors what we think. Go to /www.victoria.ca/EN/main/
city/mayor-council-committees/contact-mayor-council.html. Better yet,
write to the Beacon with your thoughts to further the conversation
among James Bay residents.
Pat McGuire