Timmins residents driven mad by speeding along rural detour route
Drivers along Laforest Road were behaving with CTV News looking on, but residents like Nicole Charbonneau say that when the cameras are off, speeders are rampant.
Charbonneau said she and her husband, who have lived in the area for almost 45 years, have grown frustrated with detouring traffic from connecting link construction in the last few years.
“Sometimes, I think I want to move because it’s too busy,” said Charbonneau.
“We lived in the country for peace and quiet. We used to be able to sit down outside, in our gazebo, and enjoy the tranquility. That’s gone, for sure.”
Charbonneau said the rumble of heavy trucks barrelling down the roadway causes light fixtures in her home to shake and the strong vibrations jolt her awake at night.
The Timmins Police Service’s community liaison officer, Marc Depatie, said this is one of many speeding-prone areas being looked at.
“It is a well-used artery, in terms of accessing the airport and other industrial sites, but there has to be some common ground here, between motorists who use this roadway and for them to be respectful of the speed limit,” said Depatie.
The police service’s traffic unit recommended dropping the speed limit for Laforest Road to as low as 60 km/h from 80 km/h, to balance safety and travel time.
Drivers along Laforest Road were behaving with CTV News looking on, but residents like Nicole Charbonneau say that when the cameras are off, speeders are rampant. (Photo from video)
City councillor Lorne Feldman wants to explore installing a speed camera.
“Reducing speed and putting up signs to act as a deterrent, really aren’t making the impact we want,” Feldman said.
“I see photo radar as potentially an option.”
Police are not taking a position on the matter, Depatie said, but noted that some municipalities have made effective use of the technology.
It can neglect the human element of law enforcement, he said, where an officer can use discretion if a driver is speeding due to an emergency.
“Is the problem that significant that is merits that type of response,” is the question Depatie said city council needs to consider.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Which is why Timmins police stationed a radar speed sign on Laforest Road to collect data on its real traffic conditions for council.
Photo radar is a tool often brought up in response to speeding, but hasn’t been implemented in the northeast.
Feldman hopes to discuss it further at the next council meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.