Young girl injured by speeding car on Yates

Cars speeding on streets where children play is a common issue I hear when door knocking in Hawthorne Village.

By parks such as Burling near Yates, Bristol District by Kennedy, Coates Neighbourhood Park as well as the future TJS Public School near Philbrook – Parents all want to see action on stoping cars going by at reckless speeds.

I spoke to one parent in June by Burling Park who was frankly scared.   She was worried about her child’s safety when she sees car’s speeding past the park by her house.    She saw they were going way over the posted limit.  It had her concerned.  Then this week she called with the sad news that her daughter was struck by a speeding car on Yates – breaking her leg in two places (she needed 2 procedures at Sick Kids Hospital to put it back together).   It was an emotional phone call to say the least.   It’s still premature to say what kind of damage might remain to her leg in the long term.

What’s even more upsetting is this is not an isolated occurrence in our town.  Recently, a seven-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle near P.L. Robertson school while he rode his bike.

Milton needs a Traffic Calming Policy.   Parents are voicing concerns, letters get written to the Champion and children are being injured and yet we still don’t have one.

There are traffic calming devices such as elongated speed bumps, the kind that you don’t notice if traveling at a regular speed but will cause you to slow down if speeding.  Traffic calming is not about making everyone go slow.  It’s about doing some research and spending money on road improvements in targeted spots to encourage vehicles to stay within speed limits.

Town Council needs to direct town staff to revisit traffic calming near parks and schools in Milton.  There are existing councillors on council who have made this point but they are currently in the minority.

My hope is that our future council will lead in a new direction on traffic calming.   Residents have heard my viewpoint on this when door knocking by parks & schools.   You know my stand on this.

Some candidates are making their viewpoints on this public and are taking a stand.

Zeeshan Hamid – Traffic Calming Devices
Jennifer Smith – Where is Milton’s Traffic Calming Policy?
Mike Cluett – Traffic Calming Zones

Please read their posts.   When candidates knock on your door ask them what their position is on creating a Milton Traffic Calming Policy around parks and schools.  Don’t be silent on this subject.