In the community section of this website is dedicated to informing Pickering residents of the issues Councillor O’Connell supports and the legislation she is working to have implemented. Issues and legislation appear as threads (often accompanied with downloads and related links) organized from the most recent date of issue to least recent date of issue.
 

Council wants drivers to slow down
Wed Apr 18, 2007

PICKERING -- City councillors hope to deter speeding in school zones on busy roads.

On April 16, council approved a motion to request a bylaw declaring Community Safety Zones in areas

along artery roads where schools are located. The speed limits will remain the same, but fines will double.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell and Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean presented the

motion and pointed out there are many inconsiderate drivers that speed in areas containing large amounts of school children. They also noted that most accidents stem from speeding, and this causes great concern to parents.

"Traffic around schools can be quite hectic and we must demonstrate that drivers who don't take the safety of our children and residents seriously, will pay the price," Coun. O'Connell said.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles said he agrees traffic should be slower in these areas, but it's important to limit this to school zones only.

"If you put it everywhere, quite frankly, it doesn't work," he said. The City also requests increased police presence during school hours and increased surveillance in the safety zones.

Staff will now draft a bylaw to be brought to council for approval.