There are certain areas of the city where the newly reduced speed limit laws appear to be having a positive effect.
One of those is Kensington Avenue where a reduced speed was necessary and appears to be working for the most part.
A reduced speed limit in several residential areas was introduced and, due to the traditional nature of the traffic flow, hasn't really influenced drivers since the natural tendency has been to go more slowly anyway.
However, there are still sections in this city where drivers seem to treat the road as a temporary drag strip where they can test the acceleration capabilities of their new trucks, cars and motorcycles with impunity.
While the ticket count may be up with regards to truckers being penalized for not using the designated truck routes, or for speeding along Fourth Street, it seems there is still a carte blanche free pass being given to those who prefer to test their vehicles along King Street west, First Street, Wellock Road and a few other choice drag strips.
What is particularly galling is the fact that school and playground restricted speed zone signs are religiously ignored by the heavy footed speedsters.
It is well understood that Estevan Police Service personnel simply don't have enough personnel or enough in the budget to tend to these re-occurring daily dilemmas on any kind of regular basis. They have made progress, but as the city grows, so do the associated problems.
There is a mobile electronic sign that greets motorists with a friendly speed zone warning while informing them what speed they are travelling at, that is owned by the City but seems to have been left languishing in some forgotten spot in the city yard these days since it hasn't been deployed for two or three years now. It was proven to be successful when it was installed in the past along First Street and Wellock Road, and would probably serve as a decent deterrent today, if someone cared to calibrate it and set it up again.
With summer upon us, youngsters are heading out to local play parks in increasing numbers for longer stretches of time. They are heading out there on push scooters, bicycles, skateboards and roller blades. Sometimes they have their pet puppies on a leash. Sometimes their parents or caregivers don't always keep up or lose track of them. These situations are primed for disaster when they meet the inattentive driver moving along at 85 km/h in a 50 or 30 km zone while texting or looking around the car seat for the loose hamburger that just got away.
So far this city has been very, very fortunate insofar as we have had only a few pedestrian/vehicle incidents or fatalities, but that doesn't mean we should treat our speed limits in a cavalier manner.
It's been a crazy winter with wicked driving conditions, and now we're facing a spring and summer with some crazy potholes to dodge and an urge to get out and move quickly now that we have warmer weather, longer days and more sunshine at our disposal.
Let's not spoil that good summer by forgetting the kid on the bike while we dodge that pothole, text our friends or race to get to the fast food outlet before the noon rush.
Saving a few seconds might prove to be too costly.
We shouldn't have to have a speeding ticket served on us to remind us that slowing down just a bit can be a very effective way to get ourselves and our neighbours through another summer safely.
