The new speed limit in front of Carman Collegiate and Carman Elementary were visited by the Headingly RCMP traffic unit on Thursday. A substantial number of tickets and warnings were issued during the course of that day. The largest ticket came in just under $1000 for doing just over 100 km/h in the 30 km/h zone.
A recent article in the Valley Leader (February 6, 2014 edition, p. 6) feels the Town of Carman got it wrong in their approach to protecting our students. The answer comes down to 30 seconds. That is the additional time it now takes to travel through the 30 km/h zone in front of the Collegiate. The issues regarding the two schools are different. Carman Elementary needs the reduced zone due to their playground being split in half by the highway. With children using the play structures and grounds at all times and year around, it makes sense that the new speed limit be in effect at all times. Carman Collegiate was having issues with vehicles not yielding to pedestrians at the crosswalk. Since the speed limit has been decreased, drivers are more aware of their surroundings, and there has been improvement with the rate of vehicles stopping for pedestrians at the crosswalk. The Collegiate has events that take place on all days of the week and weekend, and at any time of the year. Pedestrians use the crosswalk as this leads from the Collegiate to both businesses, the Sunnyside residential area, and during large events our overflow parking.
Travelling 30km/h in this day and age may feel like a snail's pace, but an additional 30 seconds onto our travel time is worth keeping everyone safer. To the Town of Carman, thanks for getting it right. Also note, the RCMP Headingly traffic unit have stated that they will be back.
