Speeding plagues residents on Bathurst

October 15, 2013 · 0 Comments

I am a resident at 18178 Bathurst Street in Newmarket. My home is located at the southwest corner of Bathurst and Green Lane and I have resided at this address since 2002.
During the first few years that I lived at this address, Bathurst Street, between Davis Drive (#9) and Green Lane/Miller Sideroad was closed, while they built the Bathurst extension that enabled traffic to flow more effectively between the 400 and the 404 Highways. It also allows people to bypass the incredible traffic on Yonge St.
As soon as the road opened we, as residents, became very wary of the traffic, and the speeds in which motorists travel on this section of highway. When we drive northbound and need to turn left into our driveway, we know to signal well in advance, and are very conscious of the traffic approaching us from behind, particularly if we need to wait for southbound traffic before we can turn.
Our residential driveway also serves a working farm, and tractors and trucks full of animals also need to make the same turn. Time and time again, we are yelled at by other motorists – or we receive an inappropriate gesture – merely for turning into our own driveway.
Within the last year, my neighbour was rear-ended twice – again, as she was waiting to turn left into her own driveway. Both times, her car was totaled, and she was treated for whiplash. Both times, the people who hit her were travelling too fast, or not anticipating that she was turning, regardless of the fact that her indicator light was on.
After her second accident, signs were put up reminding motorists that there is a “Hidden Driveway” and encouraging them to “Share the Road” with the tractors. Funny, the motorists continue to speed.
Often late at night, we hear revving motors up and down Bathurst. We have no proof, but it sounds like cars are racing. Recently, a car rolled over into the ditch in front of my house. While I was not a member of the investigation team that reviewed the accident scene, my common sense tells me that he was going far too fast. News reports tell me that he was found without vital signs at the scene. At this time, I can only speculate that unnecessary speed has caused a death on Bathurst.
Perhaps it is time to crack down, before anyone else gets hurt.
Set up some speed traps, drop the speed limit on that section of the highway, install a sign that monitors the speed of motorists and reminds them when they are going too fast.
I have not mentioned the other, countless accidents that have occurred on this stretch of highway, in particular at the corner of Bathurst and Green Lane. I believe those records must be available somewhere. Perhaps it is time for them to be studied, and solutions put in place, before anyone else falls victim to this dangerous stretch of highway.
Noeline Burk
18178 Bathurst St.