The results of the recent non-binding plebiscite poll conducted by the City of Estevan during the civic election has done nothing to clarify the local speed limit question. In fact, the vote, which was a near 50:50 split has only muddied the waters.
We citizens are pretty well split down the middle as to whether or not we should have another speed limit imposed on us in certain areas of the city.
If the powers that be (meaning our newly-elected council) decide to add a 40 km/h speed zone in Estevan, that means this city will have speed limits ranging from 30 to 80 km/h in various sectors.
We went on record prior to the plebiscite as being in favour of the current speed limits since we felt adding another speed restriction in various areas of the city just wasn't necessary and would do very little in terms of curbing the profound abusers.
If we adopt another speed limit, will this not just befuddle the legal and justice administration?
Speed enforcement is already a nightmare. We might just add more befuddlement to the equation. Would we not be encouraging even more clever ruses to surface in the courtrooms or within the justice system if we insist on injecting a 50 km/h zone on one street and enforcing a 40 km/h zone as soon as a motorist turns the corner onto an adjoining street?
We have already observed total disregard by our local motorists in terms of honouring 30 km/h speed limits within our playpark and school zones, so why would anyone believe that we would adhere to a speed reduction to 40 if we're already ignoring the 50 to 30 km/h speed reduction edicts?
As unfortunate as it may seem in this city, acceleration is the key component for local motorists. Having to pay attention to speed limit and street signs rather than traffic flow might be more of a detriment to safe driving. Worrying and watching for a local speed trap, rather than looking out for the stray dog, wandering child or senior pedestrian just isn't the way to go in our way of consideration.
We would rather embrace the old refrain that would call for our motoring citizens to just embrace, observe and enforce the current speed limits and we'll be just fine. It's inattentiveness and laziness that cause the problems.
The 50 km/h, which in former terms, means about 37 mph should be slow enough to allow the average driver to act defensively when called upon, no matter how slow their reflexes are.
Adding another speed zone will do nothing to curb the careless and idiotic drivers within our midst. Unfortunately, they will always be with us until they're caught, and they can be caught at any speed since erratic driving practices are just as offensive as speeding.
Besides, look at all the money we'll save by not having to put up new speed zone signs. We can spend that on repairing potholes, that are already nature's way of slowing us down in the Energy City.
