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That said, I support lower residential limits and also some use of photo radar.

The safety argument is certainly compelling on a 30 km/h limit for residential streets. As Gerry Shinko, head of traffic safety, says: “For me, and from what I’ve seen in the literature on the residential roads and places where there are vulnerable road users, you want to keep that speed around 30.”

To give some credit to the traffic safety folks, they’re also finally getting the message about having proper signage in school zones, not just one small, measly sign. They put in enhanced signage in 13 school zones last year, Shimko says. “There’s no harm in improving all the school zones we have. We’re doing 24 again this year where we’re adding more signs and putting in zebra crosswalks.”

Traffic safety officials are also finally getting on board with the mass use of digital speed feedback signs.

“Those are amazing, their results are amazing,” Shimko says. “We’re getting six to 12 km/h reduction from drivers once they get to the point of the sign.”

I asked Shimko if there would have been less resistance to all the changes if his department had been more aggressive with the digital feedback signs right off the top.

Shimko says the benefits of the signs wasn’t really prevalent in the literature, so it was up to Edmonton to pilot them. “We started seeing some amazing results. … It’s proven to be a really valuable lesson.”

When I ask Shimko why our numerous static photo radar warning signs don’t also post the speed limit, he says: “That’s actually never come up. That’s a good question. I can certainly get back to you.”

It’s better late than never with the digital feedback signs, but council should not proceed with any more major changes in our speed limits unless proper signage is Plan A, not Plan Z after several years of another photo radar cash grab.

dstaples@postmedia.com

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