Pictou County communities still pushing for broader use of electronic speed signs

PICTOU, N.S. - The Municipality of Pictou County is once again pushing the provincial government to allow broader use of electronic speed signs in the county to deter speeders.

In a Nov. 17 social media post, the municipality said it is sending the province a list of sites council members would like to install electronic speed signs.

Provincial regulations say electronic signs can only be placed in areas where there is a change in the speed limit on the stretch of road. However, District 3 Coun. Darla MacKeil said there are other places in her district that could use the signs.

MacKeil said there has been increased speeding along the newly paved Sunrise Trail, which has a speed limit of 80 km/hr, but does not meet the provincial requirements for the electronic signs.

However, provincial policy states the signs can be placed in areas that have speeding issues despite significant enforcement.

“I feel there are many districts, like District 3, that haven’t benefitted from the speed signs yet,” she said. “Hopefully we can get these applied for and into areas that haven’t seen the signs yet.”

Coun. Larry Turner agreed with MacKeil and said residents in his district have reached out to him personally to express concerns about speeding.

Turner said he met with RCMP officers three months ago and discussed increased speeding enforcement in the problem areas.

“I know with the RCMP their intent is good, but whether not they have resources to do that type of work is a different story," Turner said.

The municipality is currently awaiting provincial permit approval.