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2012-08-01 at 15:53

Stopping speeders

By Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com
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City police say they are surprised drivers haven’t gotten the message to slow down while traveling down Oliver Road.

Thunder Bay Police Service officers once again set up camp along Oliver Road just outside Lakehead University on Wednesday in order to halt anyone traveling faster than the posted speed limit. Despite numerous blitzes to stop speeders, the number of tickets given to drivers haven’t gone down.

Last month, officers issued 274 tickets to motorists along Oliver Road, 195 of which were for speeding. Speeds ranged in the high 80s and 90s but the posted speed limit in the community safety zone is 50 kilometres an hour.

Sgt. Glenn Porter said he doesn’t know why people have to speed along that stretch of road. He said the number of tickets they issued last month this year was about the same as last year.

“We thought we had the problem somewhat tamed,” Porter said. “We’re worried about the pedestrians, the cyclists and anyone else using the road. The best way to avoid a collision is to stop when you need to. I don’t know what it is. Those speeds would be illegal even on the Harbour Expressway so what’s the excuse?”

Porter said they will be staying on Oliver Road and conducting other speeding blitzes until more drivers slow down.


 

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Comments

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fastball says:
I'd never advocated putting more lights up in town...but maybe a set of lights on Oliver at the hospital entrance could solve two problems.
Firstly, it could help with the sometimes-endless wait for motorists and buses to turn left onto Oliver - and it might slow some traffic down on Oliver.
8/1/2012 3:59:56 PM
passlake says:
can I agree and disagree at the same time?

I'm pretty sure traffic lights anger drivers... mostly the poorly timed lights. And while there's not too many in the LU area, adding more lights still gives that illusion of slowing progress. and we all know how people hate being slowed down, even if it means 17 minutes, not 15 to get across town.

In terms of speeders, I think they should just slow down (easier said than done, I know).

As for the hospital entrance. I know that McMaster in Hamilton built an overpass type thing at the university/hospital. It worked really well when I was there and I know it costs a bit more, but maybe that is the direction we should go for easing traffic around the hospital.

8/1/2012 8:11:22 PM
Escroft says:
Oliver Road between Balmoral and the Expressway should be 70, with an offramp leading to the hospital and university. In Winnipeg, this road would be 70. Why it isn't here is because of old-school road rules who don't want to raise speed limits because it brings revenue in by issuing tickets. Water Street should also be 70 from where River Street begins all the way to Intercity's Harbor Expressway.
8/1/2012 4:04:02 PM
tsb says:
I would think the frequent uncontrolled intersections and pedestrians crossings as well as the curve in Water Street near downtown is the reason it isn't at 70.

Ontario's default speed limit for that kind of road is 60. The city simply hasn't bothered to change that, and for Water Street north of Bay Street, there is really no need for traffic to go that fast. Water Street separates downtown from the waterfront more than the railway does.
8/1/2012 10:20:47 PM
common_sense says:
There is one big problem with your argument. Since the posted speed limit right now in those areas is 60 most people go 70 already... bring it up to a posted speed of 70 and people will go 80.
8/1/2012 10:48:03 PM
gotti says:
never mind the fines, take their license away for awhile, thunder bay drivers are the worst drivers around, even when you advertise where the police are they still dont obey laws, so if you got a ticket there in the last little while, better shake your head and give up driving, walk, its safer and cheaper for you
8/1/2012 4:39:33 PM
big joe mufferaw says:
Next to Sudbury.
8/1/2012 6:07:05 PM
jimmyboy says:
oh please....people are speeding everywhere in the city, clearly not just on Oliver road.!
8/1/2012 6:03:25 PM
hardrawkin says:
Escroft,
Vehicles are traveling down there at over 70 and 80 kph at the moment and you want them to go faster?
Video surveillance would make a lot of the ignorant Thunder Bay drivers obey the rules and pay attention.
8/1/2012 6:17:24 PM
RealityCzech says:
Oliver Road? Why aren't the police doing something about the high speeds on Water St. ~ Fort William Road? I am bullied into doing 70kph in an area where at times the posted speed limit is 50kph... AND STILL I GET PASSED!
8/1/2012 6:27:06 PM
Sui Generis says:
You get bullied into speeding? That's one I've never heard before.

8/1/2012 11:48:57 PM
Glyder says:
Water/ft william road is 60 from the intercity area up to Bay st, where it changes to 50.
8/2/2012 8:48:18 AM
Steven says:
Escroft, you are bang on! Thunder Bay is filled with artificially low speed limits dating back to a time when vehicles were heavier and brakes didn't work as well.

That whole segment would be 70 in most communities in southern ontario, winnipeg, or most other areas, and the police would start ticketing at 85.

The same goes for sooooo many other streets in our backwards city. Its always the older people who love to bring up "the law" (i.e. Thunder Bay drivers just don't seem to be able to follow the law! I drive 50 and thats how everyone should drive!) Fact is, the speed limits are way too low based on the roads we have and the amount of traffic on those roads. Anyone who thinks our roads are full needs to get out to see the rest of the world. Increased speed limits would decrease the net cards on each segment of road at any one time.

8/1/2012 6:43:16 PM
bttnk says:
Are people really advocating faster speeds in an area that has a university campus and hospital adjacent with heavy foot traffic? I work in this area, and I see cars zipping by at high speeds, the last thing we need to do is allow people to go 70 down the road. SLOW DOWN and take your time. What's the rush? After-all we live in Thunder Bay and commutes are some of the lowest of any city in Canada.
8/2/2012 10:44:18 AM
Lally says:
Cue the whiners who think we should raise all the speed limits and complain that police have nothing better to do than ticket them. Personally, I'm glad to see the police out, and can't believe that people can't slow down a little. Really, what does your racing get you? To the stop light 10 seconds ahead of me, that's what.
8/1/2012 6:52:17 PM
DazeofThunder says:
Somewhere disrespect for everything and everyone has taken over. No amount of speeding tickets will ever change that...
8/1/2012 7:04:54 PM
vimeo says:
And how about the police cruisers? I witnessed a city police car tail gaiting a car (doing the speed limit) only to weave in and out of lanes tail gaing the car in front. If they were in an emergency they would have flashed the lights. We ended up catching up to the cruiser at the next lights. This was also on the same stretch of Oliver Road. There was no emergency. This cop simply wanted to get ahead and do faster than 50k.
Well guess what pal, the guys in front of you aren't going to speed while you're behind them so don't intimidate them!
8/1/2012 9:23:00 PM
tsb says:
If you look at the photo you'll notice that they're on the residential part of Oliver Road, east of Balmoral. That part of the road has a gentle curve and a hill that reduces visibility, but it also has a serious problem with speeders. I used to live on that street and had dozens of close calls while walking and riding a bike there. I actually feel less safe riding a bike on Oliver Road than I do on Memorial Avenue at any point.
8/1/2012 10:22:22 PM
hopper says:
No, this is actually west of Balmoral Street. I don't see why that entire stretch of road can't be 60 with a set of traffic lights coming from the university if needed. Who walks across that road in the middle anyway, except when the university was on strike and students had to walk to Oliver to catch the bus?
The part of Oliver Road tsb is referring to has its own traffic light, and is a 50 zone, if he/she can't tell from the photo. This blitz always happens btw the cemeteries and hospital. Cash grab.
8/2/2012 12:58:51 PM
cachinnate says:
Perhaps this road should be only 50km/hr.....oh wait, it is. Perhaps people should just obey the speed limit, after all there is a reason It is what it is
8/1/2012 10:48:08 PM
Dan Dan says:
This is absolutely brutal. The Police are surprised at the number of speeders in Thunder Bay? Traffic enforcement here is completely non-existent!

We have a serious problem with average citizens who consider themselves to be "good people", but have no problems traveling at least 10 km/h over the posted limit. The rest of us consider you to be dangerous idiots.

Why are we so hung up on chasing drunk drivers, but we let this kind of dangerous behaviour go unpunished? If you get caught anywhere close to the limit, you lose your license for a short duration. So should it be with speeding. If you get caught going 25km/h or more, you should be treated the same as someone over the legal alcohol limit. Lose your license for a year, period.
8/1/2012 11:14:57 PM
eastender says:
You cant teach a block of cement anything, all you can do is keep giving them tickets. Most intelligent people will do whats right without laws, however the ego driven people, of which thunder bay is full of, will not obey any laws until you hit them in the wallet, and hit them hard. I would like to see graduated fines, if you get a second speeding ticket within three years, your fine triples and quadruples, and maybe your lisence is suspended. Photo radar would be a great way to stop speeders. I dont know why it isn't being used to advantage here. And to all the hell bent for leather lead footed drivers that think speed limits should be increased, that will just give you lisence to speed even faster, like 80 and 90 km/hr instead of 60 or 70. Hiking speed limits is not the way to solve the speeding problem. One more thing. Start giving tickets for people talking on their cell phones. This is being done blatantly, I see it all the time, I wonder why the police dont, Ticket them.
8/1/2012 11:18:07 PM
passlake says:
I love the idea of increasing fines for increased infractions!

I don't have speeding tickets in the past 10 years, so maybe they're already doing this.. but does speeding tickets impact your insurance premiums?
8/2/2012 9:26:18 AM
stuck at lights @ nite: why? says:
Honestly, the university could also use a set of lights on oliver road too, not just the hospital.

This would slow traffic down to where it should be & would be safer for ALL!

Or how about a few rows of speed bumps down oliver if 2 sets of lights are too expensive?




The intersections near intercity change red all nite every 3 minutes or so regardless if there is traffic or not. WHY?

Why isnt the sensor thingy working instead of making so many wait for no reason nite after nite????

If not, atleast flash the main route yellow & the other way red like the big cities do after 11pm
or atleast switch to sensor mode from 11pm till 7am?



8/1/2012 11:37:10 PM
Drayton lad says:
Wanna see speeders?? Head to Terrace Bay this weekend :-)
8/2/2012 1:19:56 AM
ibrando says:
TSB after reading your post I cant resist responding. East of Balmoral? That is actually just west of the cemetary. Like I thought, you dont really know all that much do you?
8/2/2012 7:06:55 AM
Glyder says:
And your insulting him why? Who cares WHERE it is on Oliver, he brought attention to an area that is plagued with speeders, on BOTH sides of Balmoral.

"Ohh, he made a mistake! He's dumb"! Really? Grow up.
8/2/2012 1:02:51 PM
tsb says:
Insulting me is the only thing ibrando really has going for him. It isn't like he can't insult anyone else. I am on the very bottom, he is right on top of me, and all other posters here are above us.

I know it is an affront to God, but I am all he has. Don't take me away from him.
8/2/2012 5:57:41 PM
glock9 says:
Speeders ? You mean thunder bay drivers, seems ppl just follow suit instead of looking down at their speedometers, assuming everyone in the pack of cars they're tailing is really doing the speed limit when they're not, school zone, who cares speed up they say. Its definitely not just oliver road.
8/2/2012 7:32:51 AM
MurilloMom says:
I drive into town from Murillo almost daily. I have been passed by 'rednecks' on hills, corners and double lines. I surely hope the police do NOT think the problem of unsafe and inept drivers begins after they cross Golflinks heading into town, it starts way back by Townline Road !!!
8/2/2012 8:21:31 AM
youngtbay84 says:
Speeding will always be a problem regardless of what city you live in. You will never see the speed limit increase on fort william rd, water, or any other street in town. its too close to residental areas and its in city limits. if the speeds were increased on those streets, my guess more accidents will occur.
The cops or the city should invest in speed trap cameras. Calgary has them in high collision areas to help prevent situations happening. Ticketing starts at $80 and goes up. some people still don't care as its pocket change to some, but if you don't pay these tickets, you can't renew your licesne or your sticker for your plate till there paid. Something to think about tbay. cops standing on the street aren't gonna do much.
8/2/2012 9:53:41 AM
ring of fire dude says:
With a base price tag of over $60,000 , the cops need to catch a lot more speeders to pay off their Mercedes-Benz Police van . It's no wonder their budget is shot to hell every year , who authorized this purchase ? What ever happened to "plain Jane" vehicles being used by all departments in the city . Prime Rib tastes on a Klik budget .
8/2/2012 10:13:57 AM
TBDR says:
Anyone trying to justify speeding should probably be asking themselves why they're in such a rush. Life is short, enjoy the ride.
8/2/2012 10:54:15 AM
Kidknapp says:
Maybe there should be a zero tolerance...
If the sign says 50, it should mean 50!!!
Not 60 or 65.....
8/2/2012 12:25:40 PM
trent says:
Try driving across town at 50 km/h, you'll probably make for a much more dangerous situation than if you just kept up with the flow of traffic.
8/2/2012 1:42:12 PM
stuck? says:
Wanted to share a little story I had when I first started driving.

Driving down the highway between Oliver Road and Harbour Expressway when I noticed a chevy impala race up behind me. I stayed doing 100. They got into the lane beside me and stayed in my blind spot.

As I slowed down, they matched my speed. As I sped up, they matched my speed again, until I got TOO fast and he merged behind me, turned his cherries on and pulled me over for speeding.

He proceeded to talk down to me threatening to "wake up my parents and let them know what I've been up to" and then wrote me a ticket for speeding.

Yes, it was an unmarked Thunder Bay Police Chevy Impala. As somebody has said before they "bullied" me into speeding. I had tried to slow down to get him out of my blind spot, but he intentionally slowed down himself.

Sounds like bullying (or something about a quota) to me....
8/2/2012 1:08:17 PM
timeforchange says:
274 tickets, 195 for speeding were issued last month.

Meanwhile in another part of town, 274 people were victims of crime, 195 of them victims of violence.

Conclusion---- all is well in Thunder Bay
8/2/2012 3:51:13 PM
North18 says:
Hey Rinf of Fire Dude, in case you missed it, a couple of years ago when the TBPS got that traffic van, there was a story on here about they got it through a government grant. It didn't cost the city anything to get that van so find something else to bash the police about.
8/2/2012 4:49:19 PM
tree says:
OMG, What is wrong with these people?? How many of these idiots are being caught texting also??
8/2/2012 6:22:57 PM
tree says:
To all the people who are complaining about getting tickets, let me ask you one question. Why do you drive OVER the posted speed limit, its not like you are unaware of what you are doing. Do I have to explain to you the outcome of doing this???
8/2/2012 6:25:31 PM
vimeo says:
And how about the police cruisers? I witnessed a city police car tail gaiting a car (doing the speed limit) only to weave in and out of lanes tail gaing the car in front. If they were in an emergency they would have flashed the lights. We ended up catching up to the cruiser at the next lights. This was also on the same stretch of Oliver Road. There was no emergency. This cop simply wanted to get ahead and do faster than 50k.
Well guess what pal, the guys in front of you aren't going to speed while you're behind them so don't intimidate them!
8/2/2012 8:31:21 PM
Mazda323 says:
ok, so let's raise the speed limit on Oliver to 70. Think that's gonna curb the speeding? People will just drive 90 or 100. The police are doing the job YOU PAY THEM TO DO, not trying to squeeze every red cent out of you. Don't wanna pay fines? Obey the freaking law!!
8/3/2012 12:58:54 AM
wayne says:
"Speeds ranged in the high 80s and 90s but the posted speed limit in the community safety zone is 50 kilometres an hour."

YIKES! Stop the madness!
8/3/2012 1:10:06 AM
wayne says:
So how much time do speeders save driving 30 to 40 kph over the posted speed limit between golf links and balmoral? (the stretch without a traffic light)
8/3/2012 1:40:30 AM
canrebel53 says:
Stop wasting the Cops time and just install Photo Radar, Peterson didn't want it because all the City would get is 50% of the ticket price. But 50% is better than nothing, and Photo Radar is on the job 24 hrs a day not 1 or 2 Hrs. These units could be placed on all the main artery's and where all the known speeding is going on, and remember a picture is proof who was behind the wheel.
8/4/2012 10:36:12 AM
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