Oversized signs replace speed cameras in school zones to slow motorists

Big changes are coming to school zones across the region as large new signs replace the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras.

Orillia received three oversized signs for Fittons Road West, Park Street, and Westmount Drive South to replace the speed cameras as a temporary measure until speed bumps or some other form of traffic calming can be put into place.

These attention-grabbing signs are quite a bit bigger than before.

“They are three feet by eight feet,” explained the city’s project engineer, Steven Murphy, noting the size difference compared to the existing signage. “They were six feet by two feet.”

The City said the new signs come in two versions. One says “School Zone Ahead” with a pentagram symbol and the speed limit, while the other shows the same info but without the word “Ahead.”

With the provincial ban on speed cameras, Murphy said Orillia would seek other options to curb poor driving behaviours.

“The municipality will definitely be exploring additional measures to help reduce speeds, the signs typically don’t work as well as other methods.” He said such methods could include narrowing lanes, raised crosswalks, speed cushions, and more.

“I actually have no issue with speed cameras,” said one motorist. “I’ve actually been picked up by one of them, received the charge and had to pay the charge and I still have no issue with them.”

Putting the larger signs in place wasn’t without its challenges.

Officials say because of their size, finding safe spots was tricky, noting the signs risked butting out into the road or sidewalk, which could get in the way of snowplows, big vehicles, or block sightlines.

In Severn, the focus is on Marchmont Public School along Division Road West, which was the only school zone in the township that had ASE cameras.

The new signs there follow the Ministry of Transportation’s guidelines and measure 900 millimeters by 2,100 millimeters, replacing the older, much smaller 600 millimeters by 1,100 millimeters signs.

Each post in Severn now displays three signs: the international children walking symbol, a 30 km/h speed limit, and a school zone indicator. Officials say they will also be adding dual amber flashers powered by solar panels to make the signs even more visible.

Unlike Orillia, Severn didn’t face any installation issues. The Township said the ministry provided the new signs and flashing lights directly, while municipalities usually take care of their own regulatory signs.

These upgrades are part of a province-wide push to make school zones safer with the ban on speed cameras. All speed cameras had to be disabled on Nov. 14 after Premier Doug Ford called the program a “cash grab.”