this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 20 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Replace speed cameras with road diets and other geometric choices that restrict traffic speed without relying on drivers following rules (they don't)

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 16 points 1 week ago (2 children)

The Ottawa Protocol

90 kph

Speed camera

50 kph

Past speed camera

90 kph

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 week ago

While not ideal, this can still be useful. In Sweden, we employ speed cameras strategically around areas of higher risk, such as intersections with cars coming onto a larger road with an obscured view. Reducing the speed in that particular spot does probably save lives.

Still, adjusting the design speed is the preferable alternative, but that does not make speed cameras completely ineffective.

[–] Grabthar@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nobody drives 90 in Ottawa. Especially not on the 417.

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Oh they have speed cameras on the 417?

[–] Grabthar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

No, and they really don't need them. Ottawans merge somewhere between 60 and 80, and drive more slowly in general. In most Ontario cities, driving at 100 in the left lane will get you run over. In Ottawa, you will be passing everyone.

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

We're talking about speed cameras, that's my point, why the hell would you assume I was talking about the 417.

Ever driven on walkley road?

[–] Grabthar@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Maybe take it down about 20 percent there, friend. You commented that Ottawa drivers speed up to 90 between speed cameras. I replied, a bit tongue in cheek, that Ottawa drivers don't drive 90, not even on the 417, where they're supposed to. Ottawa is the only city I have driven in where significant numbers of people drive at or below the speed limit, even when traffic would permit them to go faster, and that was the case even before the speed cameras. That generally forces everyone else to be honest enough, but I concur, Ottawans definitely hammer the brakes down even harder right before a speed camera. Or while merging on the 417.

[–] Grabthar@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

Ok, didn't realise I was responding to a mouth breather. Go back to reddit, clown.

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

Sorry I had assumed you were making a point, my bad

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Have you ever seen an idiot driver in a roundabout?

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That's why they put raised safety platforms at the entrances and exits of roundabouts

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Based on your response to my question, I am going to assume you have never seen an idiot driver in a roundabout.

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Based on your response you have never seen a roundabout with raised safety platforms

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Again, you underestimate idiots.

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I know what they are, that doesn't change my point.

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Driven over them?

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There are more design choices than just roundabouts...

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca -2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There are more design choices than just roundabouts…

Do I have to list every single one for you to get the point?

[–] Zombie@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Have you considered installing the roundabouts anyway and removing the driving licences of those incapable of manoeuvring around a simple roundabout?

Driving is not a right. If they can't perform simple manoeuvres without endangering others, they shouldn't be controlling a machine that can easily accidentally kill.

[–] Arkouda@lemmy.ca -2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I agree. My point is the problem is bad drivers are bad drivers so roundabouts, etc are a waste and won't do anything to solve the issue.

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

They solve the average driver. A certain number of drivers are jsut shit that need their licences removed, there's no question about that.

But let's consider the majority, myself for example.

I'm keenly aware of vulnerable road users, and active at the municipal and provincial levels in improving road safety, I take active and public transportation whenever practical.

When I lived in Montréal, I rarely sped, logs of questionable accuracy show somewhere around 10% of the time. Now that I'm in Kingston it's around 80% of the time.

I'm even a less aggressive driver in Kingston, but the geometry of the roads here leads me to unconsciously speed a lot.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

This is the way, but good luck getting that implemented. NIMBYs and "frustrated motorists" will push back, and it only takes a few to ruin good ideas.

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Fun thing about design changes, the motorists get less frustrated.

A big part of our frustration whole driving is that (at least in Ontario) design speed MUST be at least 20kph higher than posted speed.

So yeah, you get frustrated doing 30kph on a road designed for 60kph. You get less frustrated on a road with no posted limits anywhere that jsut naturally nakes you want to drive a speed that feels safe, and happens to be 30kph.

[–] healthetank@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

Bigger problem is people are bad judges of risk while driving. People's perception of how fast they can safely travel doesnt line up with their actual abilities.

Roads are built with a design speed 20kph higher than the posted limit because that's the margin left for safety. That covers things like balding tires, like a distracted driver not paying attention, or bad weather.

There can be some changes (ie the number of municipalities that insist on a 4m wide lane is RIDICULOUS for residential roads), but the vast majority of the factors that make it "safe" to drive that speed are there for a reason.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

You get less frustrated on a road with no posted limits anywhere that jsut naturally nakes you want to drive a speed that feels safe, and happens to be 30kph.

Nah, I don't believe that's what happens, because we've had so many single vehicle crashes because people have no idea what feels safe. They drive like they're behind a screen, like a video game. Except that screen is a windshield and their face can go through it.

Someone going 100km/h in a 40 zone is an asshole who has no regard for human life. No road design will make them care, and the solution to that problem is to not allow certain people to drive.

Equip vehicles with behaviour sensing tech, and if someone is routinely driving aggressively, not stopping when they should, speeding, and parking in areas that put others in danger, they should lose their license.