September 18th, 2025 • Volume 7 • Issue 1
Mayor Wayne Redekop
Of all the emails, telephone messages and comments from residents that I receive, one of the most frequent complaints relates to speeding on Town streets. In response, Town Council adopted a Traffic Calming Policy and By-Law in April 2023. While the policy allows the Town to implement measures to address speeding and aggressive driving, it applies only to municipally owned streets and roads and not those under the jurisdiction of the Province (part of Garrison Road, QEW), Region (part of Garrison Road, Central Avenue, Dominion Road for example) and Niagara Parks Commission (Niagara Parkway and service roads).
Traffic calming measures are designed to make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicle drivers. The measures (which include speed humps and cushions, signage, raised crosswalks, electronic speed display devices, roundabouts and road design changes) are intended to prevent speeding, short-cutting on through streets and aggressive driving behaviour. Education and targeted police enforcement are essential elements for successful traffic calming. When properly implemented, the measures make our streets safer, more livable and reduce traffic accidents.
Speed display devices are currently operating at various locations in Town. When initially installed, the devices gather data without displaying the speed of on-coming vehicles. That is followed by a period of speed display and data gathering, and, finally, another period of operation without display to determine whether driver behaviour has changed since the introduction of the signage. The devices are rotated throughout the Town based on a program informed by requests for traffic calming from the public and criteria established by the Traffic Calming Policy.
To date, Council has considered several requests to implement traffic calming in various neighbourhoods. Many residents will be familiar with the measures implemented on Concession Road between Garrison Road and Albany Street. Council-authorized measures will be installed shortly on Washington Street and Farr Avenue, between Gorham Road and Ridge Road. Further requests are being processed by Town staff, but the volume has been overwhelming, an indication that speeding is a problem throughout Fort Erie, and the program is popular.
Niagara Region, unlike the municipality, is authorized by provincial statute to utilize Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras, which are an important part of the Region’s Vision Zero initiative. Vision Zero is focused on reducing serious collisions, injuries and fatalities on Regional roads. A particular focus for the Region is school zones. In Fort Erie, traffic calming measures, including ASE cameras, have been installed on Garrison Road in front of Garrison Road Public School and Greater Fort Erie Secondary School and had previously been operational on Central Avenue in front of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School. A red-light camera is operational at the intersection of Pettit Road/Daytona Avenue and Garrison Road.
Some drivers complain about the use of ASE cameras and refer to a variety of reasons. The Premier of Ontario has taken exception to the use of the cameras, but the reality is that they work and they provide for a safer environment for children and pedestrians where they are operational. It is hard to imagine why anyone needs to disregard the speed limit in a school or safety zone unless it is a first responder or an individual in an emergency situation. Regardless, to achieve the intended results, signage needs to be effective, easy to read and understand, and provided well in advance of the safety zone. Another concern is the lengthy delay in the occurrence of the offence and notification to the driver of the fine being imposed. A more timely notification is required to avoid repeat offences and accomplish the desired compliance with the speed limit. Those are issues that I will be raising with Regional staff to ensure that Vision Zero objectives are met and drivers have a fair opportunity to adjust their behaviour in identified safety zones.
