step in right direction...

Speed limit cut on Cootes near Mac


* By Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
*(May 8, 2007)

The city is lowering the speed limit on Cootes Drive to protect university students crossing the busy road.

Yesterday, councillors voted to reduce the speed from 60 km/h to 40 just south of the overpass at McMaster University to Main Street. There will also be a transition zone that will reduce drivers coming out of Dundas from 80 km/h to 60 before they hit the low speed zone.

Mac student Heather Watson, 19, was killed at the crossing in February 2006.

The city vowed after her death to explore whether there were more ways to make the popular crossing safer.

A recent university study found 3,700 people crossed Cootes Drive during the day. At peak time during the lunch hour, some 425 people crossed. The study also found a high risk for pedestrians to be hit.

Yesterday's committee motion, which was brought forward on behalf of Councillor Brian McHattie, noted the primary issue at the crossing is pedestrians and cyclists who ignore the traffic signals or don't use the crosswalk.