A minority of drivers respect the new 30 km/hr speed limit on the roads that border the Châteauguay River.
The Le Soleil de Châteauguay newspaper observed this on the speed display devices that have been recently installed. The devices display a vehicle’s speed in red with the word “ralentir,” slow down in French, when the vehicle is travelling above the speed limit. If the guidelines are being followed correctly, the display colour changes first to yellow and then green, with the word “merci,” or thank you, and a smiley face.
On Thursday morning around 8:15 am, the newspaper observed the device located at boulevard D’Youville in front of Marcel-Seers Park, facing South. In one minute, there was more red displayed than green. Out of 11 vehicles, just two were captured at the authorized speed limit. The majority were travelling between 40 and 50 km/hr and few took their foot off the gas.
The same situation was observed around 5:30 pm on October 27 and 28, in the area around the device located at boulevard Salaberry Nord, facing South, at the entrance to Joseph-Laberge Park.
This fall, the City of Châteauguay lowered the authorized speed limit on boulevards with a view of the river, as well as on residential streets where the limit has gone from 50 to 40 km/hr.
The municipal council adopted the change for safety reasons. A grace period for awareness has been planned prior to tickets being issued.
(Translation Amanda Bennett)
