Speed check
Radar sign showing results says police chief
Police chief says radar sign being used in Stellarton and Westville is doing its job reminding motorists to stick to limit
A speed radar sign is doing its job in the towns of Stellarton and Westville.
“We’ve found it very effective,” said police Chief Don Hussher, adding that in all areas of town where it’s been placed, drivers have slowed down.
A joint project between the two town police forces, the radar sign monitors traffic speeds and collects information on each vehicle that passes through the area where it’s set up. Hussher said it’s moved to different locations several times a month.
“It’s both preventive and proactive. It gives us a clear indication where speeding is occurring and times, and we’re able to react to that,” he said, noting that it also reminds people to obey the speed limits.
The sign is placed in high speed areas to remind motorists it’s being monitored on a regular basis. “It’s very effective to slow traffic down in some areas with speed problems.”
After complaints of speeding on the Old Foxbrook Road and George Street, the sign was placed in those locations. Between Jan. 16 and 22 on the Old Foxbrook Road, 2,768 vehicles were counted, with 39 speed violations. Of the 4,537 vehicles on George Street from Jan. 23 to 31, 48 were speed violations. The posted speed limit on those streets is 50 kph.
Hussher said the large majority of vehicles – more than 90 per cent – were within the speed limit, and a small amount were slightly over. The highest recorded speeds were 62, 63 and 66 kph, but this was for a very small number of vehicles at different times.
The majority of speed violators seem to occur after peak hours, in the middle of the night.
The sign provides information that allows police to be reactive and do patrols, giving an
accurate reading of area traffic counts and speeds at which vehicles are travelling.
“The sign is there 24/7 and gives us the information to deploy enforcement during times vehicles are travelling at a speed higher than posted,” said Hussher.
The radar sign has been used by the two police departments since the summer of 2015.