A proposed speed limit reduction in the Poplar Ridge West subdivision area of Red Deer County has been nixed.An 80 km/h section of Rge. Rd. 284, between Twp. Rd. 382 and 400 metres north of Harvey Heights, was proposed to undergo a speed shift down to 60 km/h during the county's regular council meeting Oct. 2.But despite having held the proposal over from the previous meeting, the fondness for the bylaw had not increased.Coun. Philip Massier was concerned the public may not have had enough time to express their input into the matter one way or the other. No safety concern had been clearly demonstrated, he said.With a speed counter placed south of Highway 11A clocking 111 vehicles driving within the 60 km/h proposed limit and more than 1,000 driving over that speed, approving the law would criminalize too many drivers unnecessarily, said Coun. David Hoar.“To me just putting a 60 sign is probably not going to address many of those people driving on the road,” Hoar said. “I think quite frankly we're pulling the wrong tool from our tool kit.”Senior county Patrol Officer Bob Dixon and Peace Officer Levi Simcoe were on hand to answer questions about the bylaw.Coun. Penny Archibald supported giving the bylaw second reading, but it was defeated with all other council members voting against it.
