Dorval slowing down

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

Things in Dorval are about to slow down – or at least that’s what the city hopes a speed limit reduction will do.

Dorval recently announced the speed limits in both residential and commercial areas will drop to 40 kilometres per hour from 50 km/h. However, major arteries – such as Bouchard, Cardinal, Herron, and Dorval – will remain 50 km/h zones, while park and school zones will stay at 30 km/h.

According to Dorval Mayor Edgar Rouleau, while the city did have 30 km/h zones before they applied to the transport ministry for the limit reduction this summer, they were not enforceable by law, as 30 km/h is only applicable in school and park zones.

“So, if you would have had a ticket, you just had to go contest it and you would have won,” Rouleau said, adding the speed limit reduction will give the police the chance to crack down on speeders more. “I’m confident it’s going to help. The big thing is it gives the tools to the police to enforce the limit, and they’ll know the person won’t get away with it.”

Dorval is currently putting up signs advising residents of the speed limit change. The city’s public works is also in the process of replacing the speed limit signs. According to Rouleau, the new limit should come into effect by mid- to late April.

“For us, it’s about the security of the citizens. We have kids walking across the streets everywhere, in all cities,” Rouleau said. “I’m a grandfather and I don’t want my grandkids to get hit by a guy doing 20 kilometres over the limit and couldn’t stop, when if he would have been going slower, could have stopped.”