‘Absolutely appalling’: Signs meant to calm speeding on Norfolk roads destroyed within weeks

Signs placed on Norfolk County roads to deter speeders were quickly knocked over, much to council’s dismay.

Article content

Mayor Amy Martin called it “absolutely appalling” that 20 of 21 flexible in-road speed signs were damaged beyond repair shortly after being installed in mid-July.

“Well, at least we know the road signs got noticed,” Coun. Chris Van Paassen quipped at Tuesday’s council meeting.

As part of a pilot project to calm traffic, the signs were put between opposing lanes on heavily traveled roads leading into populated areas, where drivers routinely blow past the posted speed limit.

The idea is the “narrowing effect” of seeing a sign in the middle of the road cues motorists to slow down.

The signs are designed to collapse and rebound on impact, but Norfolk drivers managed to leave them “severely damaged,” said Andrew Grice, general manager of environmental and infrastructure services.

Article content

Noting speeding is a “constant concern” for residents, Martin bemoaned having to pay another $15,000 to replace the signs.

“I would like the taxpayers to know what this cost is when they drive over them, pull them out, hang them in their garage, whatever it is,” the mayor said.

Coun. Tom Masschaele said the only speed sign left standing is in his Port Rowan-area ward.

“I won’t reveal its specific location, for its safety,” Masschaele said.

While some of the damage may have been accidental, “I suspect some of them could have been more intentional,” he added.

“Just very disappointing.”

Grice told councilors he shared their frustration about the damaged signs, but said the fact speeders ran them down “really shows the need as to why those signs are required” to keep drivers and pedestrians safe.

Article content

Not all signs were deliberately targeted.

One sign in the Lynedoch area was run over by a wide combine harvester forced to “take out” the sign by crossing the center line, Coun. Linda Vandendriessche noted.

“Unfortunately, I think a few of them were put in locations where we weren’t aware of the type of vehicular traffic there,” Grice said, noting staff will make changes for the next round to avoid farm equipment.

The county has ordered “more robust” signs to be installed later this month. The replacement signs will be removed for winter and put back in April.

JP Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Article content