Traffic safety on Rte 2 east of Hunter River

“Traffic safety is issue on Rte 2, especially East of Hunter River. For example, see video with cars not stopping for school bus. Another specific problem is accessing the driveways on the downside of the hill going into Charlottetown from Hunter River – I have a letter from former MLA Bertram indicating she would look into this. The suggestion is that the 50km/hr zone be moved back to the upside of the hill prior to the crest. Photo radar is an option that should also be considered. Definitely something not right on the island. Motor vehicle accidents are certainly a lousy way to waste a life.”

Notes

References

Jul 25, 2017 – Email from Rte 2 resident almost hit coming out of driveway:

“Well it was close…the recurrent nightmare we have of getting run over or hit coming out of our driveway was a near reality yesterday.

[…] were crossing to our neighbours in the ’50’ zone and just as […] stepped out to cross someone came barrelling over the crest of the hill. I jumped back to our side of the road with the dog. The driver was not only speeding (at least 30 kms over), but also couldn’t have been paying attention. He hit the brakes way too suddenly when he saw a person on the road and almost turned his vehicle sideways.

Then he drove up to where I was yelling at him that this is a ’50’ zone and he rolled down his window and proceeded to tell me that it was a ’70’ zone until the digital ’50’ monitor halfway down the hill. I corrected him that it was ’50’ before the hill crests, but he drove off telling me I was wrong.

This is either the perception of most drivers that use this road, or they in fact have zero concern for speed limits because effective speed enforcement is so unlikely on PEI.

If you watch the digital sign from our place, over 75% of the people coming over that hill are going at least 20 over and at least half of those are driving even faster. The recent rumble strips on the margins of the road look nice, but have produced no apparent difference based on the speed monitor, particularly since most seem to think 50kph only starts at the flashing sign.

Increased policing would help, but there are other places on the island also asking for the same thing. Its unrealistic to think the island will ever have enough policing to effect a change in the speeding that’s endemic here. Radar traps or an occasional cruiser seen on the road provide only brief benefit.

The reality is photo radar is the only plausible way to make people travel at a rate of speed that makes these blind driveways and hazardous areas safe. This method works in other provinces/countries and it is sad to think lives must be lost here before the PEI politicians find adequate courage. The only other solution for this location would be to move the 50 zone back further, but as this driver proved, people are ignorant of, or just choose to ignore signs when there’s inadequate enforcement.

Traffic through Hunter River is only going to increase. There is a serious problem here now that’s going to take a life at some point. Ask any of our neighbours about their close calls. What has to happen to inspire some effective action?”

April 28, 2017 Brad Trivers to Paula Biggar during budget estimates in the legislature: Starting on page 40 of 56 in the hansard (PDF): http://www.assembly.pe.ca/sittings/2017spring/hansard/2017-04-28-hansard.pdf

“Mr. Trivers: Thank you, Chair. Speeding is a huge issue in District 18, Rustico-Emerald, and I’d imagine many other places on the Island, especially going through communities.

Ms. Biggar: Yeah.

Mr. Trivers: In my district I have got lots of different communities; Rustico, North Rustico, Breadalbane, Wheatley River, Hunter River, Stanley Bridge, New London. Almost every one of them, Emerald, they say, people are going through, they’re not obeying the speed limit. I mean I’ve talked to your department many times about this on behalf of the various different communities. I do understand that speed is often a subject of the slope of the road and how naturally it is to travel at that speed and all these sorts of things.

One thing that we have talked about with the department and I know we have traded emails, too, minister, is use of the speed radar signs. Basically, they tell you what your speed is. In particular the ones that if you are going over the speed limit they have the lights that flash at you. Those have proven to be, at least, somewhat effective in slowing down vehicles.

The problem is, of course, there are not many of them. I know for municipalities, you basically said: You’re on your own. You have got to find money in your budget to buy those and put them in. That would have been covered under the infrastructure section here, more money allocated to that. In the unincorporated communities, I would really love to see those installed. Frankly, in almost every community just because it is such a huge problem.

I was wondering if you have any plans for that, or if you’ve allocated any money to make that happen.

Some Hon. Members: (Indistinct)

Chair: Members, I don’t mind you taking your conversation outside the chamber so we can hear the questions and the answer. Thank you.

Minister?

Ms. Biggar: Thank you. In regard to funding under infrastructure in here itself, that’s not something that would qualify to be 50% funded, first of all. So no, there’s no allocation within this particular budget; but when I referred to you, we do work closely with a lot of communities that do have issues with speeding.

We have, at different times, installed larger signs for a period of time to alert people to the fact. Obviously, we are concerned about speeding in any part. Some of the communities that are municipal governments have taken initiatives. If I look at Kensington or Miscouche, those communities have taken initiative to install those flashing smaller signs when entering their community. We will continue to assist where we can, to put those flashing warning signs out for a period of time.

I think if you look at it, it would be quite cost prohibitive to install those in every community right across PEI. I would encourage any resident to, if it’s an ongoing issue, to engage with highway safety. We have done that on the main highway, as you know.

We had issues with speeding where the bus zones were. (Indistinct) We set up speed checks which we were able to have a lot of people ticketed for that, so – we can make arrangements if it’s an ongoing issue in a particular area to have highway safety come in or deal with the RCMP.

I would encourage people, if it’s an ongoing problem, to call the RCMP first of all if it’s not in a municipality that has their own police force because ultimately the RCMP do have the authority to enforce the speed limits.

Chair: The hon. Member from RusticoEmerald.

Mr. Trivers: Thank you, and just for the record, really it is an ongoing concern in all the communities that I mentioned, even within the district, and I think we really need to show leadership on this issue, put safety first, and make this happen. We need to take action to allocate money.

Sharing the signs isn’t going to work; temporary signs aren’t going to work.

I think you should even consider, as we’ve discussed in the past, things like photo radar because the RCMP can’t be everywhere all the time either. I would just urge you to consider that, and it’s unfortunate that we’re not seeing any of that in this budget.

Just consider it for the future. Thank you.”

Sep 16, 2016 – Rte 2 resident reports that while son boarding school bus, a motorist again passed while lights flashing and stop sign extended. No police around to observe and charge. Incident reported Dept of Education, MLA, and RCMP.

Sep 6, 2016 – The Guardian – Police charge young driver for passing school bus

Police wasted little time driving home a zero tolerance policy towards motorists passing school buses.

Sep 6, 2016 – CBC – Driver charged for passing stopped school bus near Hunter River

A 17-year-old driver is ‘essentially walking’ after RCMP say they caught him passing a school bus that was stopped with its red lights flashing.

RCMP said in a news release they had every available resource on the road for the first day of school. Police were focusing on high-volume school bus zones with both marked and unmarked cars.

The ticket was handed out at 8:20 a.m. on Route 2 just outside Hunter River. The driver had a graduated licence.

“The school bus was stopped with its lights flashing with their parents there to watch their children climb aboard,” said Cpl. Chris Gunn in a news release.

“Within seconds, the driver was stopped by marked cars positioned nearby. The driver was issued a Summary Offence Ticket for $1000 and 8 demerit points. As a result, this driver is now essentially walking.”

RCMP said they plan to be very visible in enforcing rules around school buses this year.

Informal Facebook poll April 1, 2016

Is it time to introduce photo radar on PEI? What do you think?

Posted by Brad Trivers on Friday, April 1, 2016

View comments here

Is it time to introduce photo radar on PEI? What do you think?

Posted by Brad Trivers on Friday, April 1, 2016

November 23, 2015 2:24 pm the Minister of Transportation stated by email:

“Brad we are getting something together for you ‎and will get it finalized. I just want to be sure it is in line with what our policies are.“

Historical information as it relates to the possible use of photo radar and/or red light cameras in PEI (November 23, 2015 11:51 am – from Dept of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal)

PDF – PHOTO RADAR and RED LIGHT CAMERAS
- January 1999 – Legislative Proposal submitted to allow for Red Light Cameras as recommended by Charlottetown Police Services.
- June 2001 – PEI Chief`s of Police request amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to allow for red light cameras and photo radar.
- January 2004 – City of Charlottetown in media requesting Red Light Cameras at intersections. Department receives letter from Chief Smith City PD requesting new legislation for photo radar and red light cameras.
- January 2005 – Guardian Editorial “ Photo Radar an Idea Worth Shelving”
- March 2006 – Guardian Editorial “ Photo Radar – efficient, but is it effective”
- November 2006 – Charlottetown City Council requests Minister Gail Shea allow legislation for photo radar.
  – Liberal MLA Richard Brown states he would bring private members Bill forward in support.
- August 2007 – City of Charlottetown requested Province bring forward legislation to allow for photo radar
- Spring 2008 – Province amends the Highway Traffic Act to allow for the registered owner of a motor vehicle to be charged for an offence committed by the driver of the vehicle. Necessary change to allow for photo radar and red light camera violations.
- May 2009 – TIR and City officials met to discuss next steps to create draft legislation.
- May 2011 – Highway Safety Division developing draft legislation / discussion documents / jurisdictional scan
  - Draft legislation was not completed by Highway Safety Division in 2011, a review of other jurisdictions was completed.
- June 2012 – New Technologies under review for PEI Road Safety Strategy
- February 2013 – PEI Summit on Impaired Driving – new technologies and legislation reviewed for red light cameras and photo radar
- October 2015 – Road to Zero approach for Minister to further explore new technologies ie: photo radar and red light cameras. (Road to Zero is an unofficial phrase used at Highway Safety for probably 10 to 15 years to describe various safety related programs.)

November 17, 2015 – Question Period – School Bus Safety – Steven Myers

Video by Claude McNeill of Brookfield (Rte 2) – November, 2015

November 12, 2015 the Minister of Transportation stated by email:

“We have done a lot of homework on this subject over the years and did run a few pilots using photo radar across the province and in Chtown for statistical purposes using the RCMP and City Police. We have allowed for this partially in legislation in 2008.“

Letter to Editor – The Guardian – Nov 12, 2015 – Speed, impairment two key problems on PEI roads

“I hope the recent spate of deaths on our roads, along with the video of cars speeding by a stopped school bus on Rte 2 will spur the government to action.

Living on Rte 2 at Hunter River within sight of the electronic speed monitor has been an eye-opener. This is a location where cars crest a hill on a curve with four blind driveways. Traffic then descends a steep hill and crosses one of the islands busiest uncontrolled intersection, before entering a school zone.

Cars and large trucks typically go thru the speed monitor at 25km over the 50km limit. Speeds of 80 or 90 km/h can be expected every few minutes and occasionally the speed monitor shows nothing for a vehicle, which means they are going over 100. Not only is it disrespectful to people who live in the community, it makes simple things like leaving your driveway or crossing a road incredibly risky.

It’s is no wonder if you look at the national stats for deaths/km travelled, you will find PE disturbingly close to top of the list. It varies year to year, but PE will typically show up only below Yukon Territories and Nunavut for the most deaths for distance travelled. Ontario’s roads are roughly 3x safer than here. I predict this year we will be second only to a territory that drives on ice-roads most of the year! It boils down to two problems…excessive speed and impaired drivers.

The speed problem, I believe, is due to the fact people can speed here with no likelihood of being caught. I’ve been told that RCMP forces dedicated to traffic amounts to two officers for the whole island and in the event of an incident like an impaired, both may be off the road for hours.

I actually doubt that RCMP sitting on highways is an effective use of their time or our money. RCMP cruiser presence on highways is a Whack-a-Mole game. A more effective approach would be to follow both Alberta and Quebec in adding photo-radar to the system.

Photo-radar is the rare infrastructure item that pays for itself and is statistically proven to reduce life wasting accidents. Emissions even get reduced along with speed and the revenue generated can be directed to more staffing and programs for other big policing challenges like impaired driving and substance abuse.

It’s 2015 and infrastructure money is available. Time to effectively use today’s technology to make this a better, safer place.

Respectfully,
Robert & Beverly Budd
Hunter River“

The Guardian – November 5, 2015 – RCMP cracking down on motorists on P.E.I. passing school buses

CBC – November 5, 2015 – School bus incident prompts special action by RCMP on P.E.I.

CBC – November 3, 2015 – Traffic blasting past stopped school bus captured on home video

Perspectives on Photo Radar

“A couple of perspectives on photo-radar here….Alberta and Quebec. Both seem statistically convinced that speed/fatalities are reduced.
York in the GTA is pushing for it as well, but the On. prov. gov’t is so sensitized to the subject after Harris won an election on scrapping it, that I doubt they will ever have the courage. Might be some practical sense, in that a busy 401 can turn into a congestion nightmare if there is even a wiff of a speed trap ahead.”
- http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/photo-radar-secret-revealed-zero-tickets-for-minor-speeding-1.2834730
- http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/photo-radars-laval-robert-poeti-1.3252902

The Journal-Pioneer – August 13, 2015 – Speed Radar Signs Coming

All the “photo radar” instances mentioned in the legislature since 1997 can be found by searching hansard:

http://www.assembly.pe.ca/hansard/search/index.php?words=%22photo+radar%22&selectsitting=ALL&action=Search

For example, Richard Brown on Dec 7, 2006 to Minister Gail Shea:

“Mr. R. Brown: […] If only we could take it one step further and introduce photo radar in Prince Edward Island, maybe we can stop some of the speeders and save some of the children at vital points in Prince Edward Island. I notice the minister of industry doesn’t like photo radar, but I think its time is here and we should be doing something (Indistinct). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”

Another one between Minister Ronnie MacKinley and Mike Currie on Oct 23, 2007 has Mike Currie trying to pin MacKinley as bringing in photo radar as a negative.

Links to statistics comparing PEI with rest of Canada

https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/cmvtcs2013_eng.pdf

https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/cmvtcs2012_eng.pdf

https://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/TrafficCollisionStatisitcs_2011.pdf

http://www.finance.alberta.ca/aboutalberta/osi/aos/data/Traffic-Fatality-Rates.pdf

“Saskatchewan shows up occasionally as worse than PEI as well as Yukon and Nunavut, but still not pretty. Pretty sure PEI will show up second to Nunavut this year.”

August 6, 2014 – Letter from MLA Carolyn Bertram regarding traffic issues in Hunter River