Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Where do drivers going through Middlesex Centre seem to find the need to speed? The answer, according to a new traffic study suggests it’s mostly Glendon Dr.
The 2024 municipal speed radar study found the biggest gap between posted speed limits and the average speed recorded, was along Glendon Dr. near Komoka Rd. The posted limit is 50 km/h along that stretch of road, but the average speed was 74 km/h based on a study of more than 40-thousand vehicles last year. Glendon Dr. west of Komoka Rd. also has a posted limit of 50 km/h, with the average speed recorded as 66 km/h.
A report to council notes Glendon Dr. is a Middlesex County road, and not under Middlesex Centre’s jurisdiction. “County roads are also the locations where staff typically see average speeds that are consistently higher than the posted speed limit, and the source of a large portion of resident speeding concerns,” the Public Works report states.
Other roads where average speeds exceeded posted limits include Oxbow Dr. at Union Ave where the limit is 50 km/h but the average speed was 60 km/h. Medway Rd. at Arva St. is also a 50 km/h zone, with the average speed recorded at 71 km/h.
The fact that county roads accounted for the most speeders was acknowledged by Deputy Mayor, John Brennan, at the February 26th council meeting where the report was presented. “I think it shows that when we get a lot of complaints on our subdivision roads that speeds aren’t as fast as everyone thinks they are,” said Brennan.
The report says by and large, drivers are respecting speed limits. “Staff receive a lot of complaints/concerns from residents regarding vehicle speed but based on the data collected, the majority of Middlesex Centre roadways are operating in a manner consistent with the posted speed limit as average speeds are general below or close to the posted speed limit.” according to the report.
Middlesex Centre staff received 33 requests for the speed radar trailers in 2024, which is slightly less than 2023 which saw 41 requests.
