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Monday, 05 June 2006 |
Over a period of years the volume of traffic in our two villages particularly in Garmouth has markedly increased. This coupled with the inevitable problem of on street parking increases the risk of accident and injury to drivers and pedestrians alike.
This ongoing problem has to be accepted and in itself can be tolerated provided drivers exercise a degree of common sense and tolerance. Unfortunately there has been an increasing incidence of near misses and minor bumps, thankfully no serious injuries have happened, however the likelihood of some major incident is ever present. In most cases excessive speed by drivers through the villages was a contributory factor.It is no defence for drivers to claim they did not exceed the current 30 mph speed limit when the conditions often demand driving at a safe and sensible speed well below that limit.Has the time not arrived in the first instance for a 20 mph limit to be imposed in both villages? I am aware that the simple imposition of a lower speed will in itself not solve the problem; many drivers would simply ignore the signs and carry on regardless.
The only effective way to reduce excessive speeding is to build traffic-calming methods, namely speed ramps, at strategic locations through both villages. This would ensure that drivers would have no option but to proceed at a sensible speed thereby not only reducing the risk of accident or injury to themselves but more particularly to other road users.
I am aware that there would be a deal of opposition to this proposal particularly from drivers claiming that their vehicles could be damaged by driving over speed ramps. My response would be that if damage occurred then while that would be unfortunate it would also indicate a degree of carelessness by drivers. It could indeed be argued that the ramps were in fact proving effective.
These methods have been used in many locations throughout Grampian Region to good effect particularly in areas where young or elderly people are at risk and I believe the case for similar action at Garmouth and Kingston is well proven and action is now required before a tragic accident occurs.
Gordon Rae
Station Road
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 June 2006 )
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