Speeding is an RCMP issue, says Spaniard’s Bay council

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay council has been receiving letters from residents concerned about speeding. 

At last month’s public council meeting, councillors also heard several requests for speed bumps,  including on Battens Road.

However, Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver noted the Town has a policy not to install speed bumps on regular roads. 

“We have had many discussions with the RCMP, and we’ve been told that they’re not that effective,” said Oliver. 

She said speeders typically tend to speed once again after they pass over the speed bumps. Furthermore, longer roads would require multiple speed bumps. Oliver added some residents do not want speed bumps because they have low-riding cars. She advised residents who are concerned about speeding to call the RCMP. 

“I know it seems like it’s going on deaf ears,” Oliver said. “They’re busy as well, it can’t be their top priority, but they said they will open a file and, after multiple calls in that area, they’ll increase patrols to try to get a handle on the speeding.”

Councillor Darlene Stamp said council should start addressing speed at some point. 

“The detachment got probably four or five officers up there,” said Stamp. “They’re overworked.” 

Stamp wondered whether council could consider grading roads to cut down on speeding. She added the three-way stop signs the Town installed over the past while have been cutting down on speeding in their respective areas. 

“We can’t continue for residents to be looking for safety and for us to keep ignoring it,” said Stamp.

Acting Town Clerk/Manager Vanessa Higgins said the only places with road grading designed to affect speeding in neighbouring towns are in playgrounds and school areas. Higgins was sceptical it would work on residential roads or be well-received by residents living on those streets.

Councillor Eric Jewer pointed out the Town now has a regional by-law enforcement officer whom residents can call, along with the RCMP. 

“Speed is the responsibility of a law enforcement agency,” said Stamp. “They’re really the one who should be addressing those issues.” 

Oliver agreed it is outside the scope of what the town council can enforce, and that residents should be contacting the police. 

Stamp suggested council could send a refresher message to the RCMP about the speeding issue, especially with the summer months approaching, and request that it do spot checks on roads where speeding is an issue. Stamp put this in the form of a motion, and it was seconded by Councillor Jewer. The motion passed unanimously.