Road safety near schools – a commitment from Action Gatineau

Christian Rochefort

The Mayor of Gatineau, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, unveiled her second electoral commitment for this fall's campaign: to improve safety on the streets of Gatineau, especially around schools, on Monday September 15, in front of the Vieux-Verger school.

This commitment aims to install more photo radars to force drivers to slow down in school zones and near parks. According to the Quebec Association of Police Directors, more than 70% of drivers do not respect the 30 km/h speed limit in these areas.

Photo radars are effective at slowing down drivers. As proof, just look at what is happening with our neighbours in Ontario. According to the mayor, there is social acceptability for this type of speed moderation measure. In addition, the revenue generated will be used to install other speed reduction measures, such as speed bumps.

For his part, Mr. Adrian Corbo, Action Gatineau candidate in Manoir-des-Trembles–Val-Tétreau and elementary school teacher, said he is concerned about speeding problems around schools. Problem areas are well known in Gatineau; one is in the school zone of Vieux-Verger School on Wilfrid-Lavigne Blvd.

Currently, five mobile radars are deployed near schools and parks. The mayor has not revealed the locations of future radars.