The North Grenville Times
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Kemptville driving safety debate floods social media…again
Van Buren Street in Kemptville, looking west toward the spot where it intersects with Bridge Street and Raina Way. Photo by Ashley Sloan
by Brandon Mayer A car accident last week at the intersection of Van Buren Street and Bridge Street/Raina Way led to what can be adequately described as a second “smash up” online. No one was hurt in the car accident, which resulted from one driver failing to yield the right of way. As often happens when it comes to the subject of driving in North Grenville, a social media post soon surfaced and a hot debate ensued. Many social media users pointed out a problem of speeding in Kemptville. The entirety of Kemptville (within town limits) has a special posted speed limit of just 40 km/h. Not only is this lower than the default speed limit for towns and cities in Ontario, but many areas in Kemptville are also enforced as “community safety zones” with increased fines for speeders. Many locals feel that despite the strict stance on speed limits, there is not enough February 16, 2023
enforcement in Kemptville, with speeding still a major problem on streets such as Van Buren Street. The original social media post called for a 4-way stop to be installed at the intersection where last week’s accident occurred. This too led to further debate, since some locals are keen to point out that an increase in safety would be good, while others make it clear that having intersections with too much control can slow and congest traffic. Decisions regarding what type of control to put on an intersection are not made lightly, and there are many factors that must first be taken into consideration. Many people are likely unaware that one such factor is whether putting “too much” control on an intersection that doesn’t need it will potentially cause disrespect for rules of the road in general. This means that although it may seem logically safer to always implement as much control as financially feasible at all intersections, this is not the case.
When drivers come across an “over-controlled” intersection, such as a 4-way stop that barely ever has any cross traffic, they tend to lose respect for the value of all stop signs. Those who have driven on back roads may have observed certain 4-way stop intersections with excellent visibility where it is almost an unspoken “rule” that rolling through the intersection is acceptable. This is a great demonstration of what happens when 4-way stop intersections are overused. What then, is the solution to speeding and minor car accidents in town? The most logical answer seems to be – “pay attention!” Human error will always be the main cause of car accidents, and logically only three other factors can ever be at play – weather conditions, driver incapacitation, and vehicle failure. When drivers take the time to pay attention, respect the rules of the road, and drive defensively, the road becomes a safer place for everyone. Let’s do better, North Grenville! 14
Bill Presley and his wife, Lauri second year of being in flying at those who just by Brandon Mayer charge of the ice at the wish to skate. Ultimately, much of two rinks, he is finding Small communities that this year’s weather the work involved in are filled with unsung has made the job harder maintaining the ice is “exheroes who make them than last year. Last year, tra” that Bill does for free tick, and Merrickville is weather conditions gen- out of kindness. His wife, no exception. Bill Presley erally allowed Bill to Lauri often helps as well. is one such individual. He simply focus on flooding “She gives me a hand, is responsible for flood- the ice when it would be many times and works for ing and maintaining two cold enough, and clearing love,” added Bill. “Extra” outdoor ice rinks – one snow from it any time it duties include the moniin Merrickville, and one snowed. This year, Bill toring of the ice, opening in Easton’s Corners. One explained that the job has and closing each day, and would be hard pressed to been “hour by hour” as the driving back and forth think of a more Canadian opposed to “day by day”. between the two rinks. job. “It’s like making a cake,” This year especially, Bill Bill retired at the age Bill joked. “You gotta describes maintaining the of 60, and after only a watch it”. ice as a “24 hour job”, few short years, he started One of the duties of wherein he is often only getting bored and was caring for the ice is to getting a few hours of seeking something to pass frequently drive by and sleep at a time before havthe time. He was hired check on it. With this ing to go back out again. to work at the Merrick- responsibility comes a It is without a doubt that ville landfill two days per difficult task – instilling neighborhood kids (and week, on Wednesdays and respect for the ice. When adults) certainly appreciSaturdays. It wasn’t long the ice is soft or not us- ate it, even if they don’t before he was asked if he able, people must stay off always get the chance to could also be in charge of of it to avoid damaging say “thank you”. Great managing the two local the ice surface, which work, Bill! ice rinks. Bill offered to can create challenges for do the job for free, but maintaining a smooth ice was told he needed to be surface as temperatures paid for liability reasons. fall back down. Similarly, He accepts minimal com- helping to enforce hockey pensation considering the times is part of the job as heavy work he puts in. well. Bill tries to be fair What is the process in- when it comes to ice use – volved in maintaining an for example, if only a few outdoor ice rink? There people are on the ice with is more to it than most some wanting to skate people would realize. A and others wanting to fire hose is used to flood play hockey, he will turn the ice in a quick sweep- the hockey nets so that a ing motion, with several game can be played sidecoats often being applied to-side without pucks in succession, with some time to freeze in between. When defects in the ice the north grenville are found, they are filled with slush and covered with a pilon until it can re-freeze. The ice rinks’ MELISSA OTTENHOF posted opening times are Marketing Consultant 8 am to 10 pm. There are Phone:613 329 0209 different time slots allotEmail: melissa@ngtimes.ca ted for family skating and www.ngtimes.ca hockey times. With this being Bill’s
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