Newmarket resident Abbas Keramati sees danger on the road he calls home.
He was one of many Willowick Drive residents to sign a petition to the town asking for speed bumps.
Plenty of drivers use the road as a shortcut, he said.
“It’s more crowded than before,” Keramati said. “It’s dangerous, and it’s getting worse.”
Newmarket committee of the whole voted March 6 to have staff explore anti-speeding options for the street near Mulock Drive and Bayview Avenue. The move comes in response to a petition forwarded by area residents and Ward 1 Councillor Grace Simon.
Simon said it is an ongoing concern and a top priority for her in her second term. She said the tight turn just outside Willowick Park is an issue. Drivers also going through the street as a shortcut have also led to calls and emails from concerned residents, she added.
“Residents are always super concerned,” she said. “We are asking if we can consider going into strong measures.”
The petition asks specifically for speed bumps, though Simon floated that could be temporary or permanent, or a stop sign could also work. She said she will respect staff’s expertise on the matter.
Resident Alicai Carvajal lives near the sharp turn at Willowick and Carberry Street. She said the turn is an issue, and she has some support for the speed bump idea.
“It will be helpful for the kids,” she said, adding that some vehicles make the turn too high. “The park is here, so it’s like a cross(walk) for a lot of kids.”
Willowick resident Sophia Morra is not opposed to the idea of a speed bump, but said she has not experienced many issues herself.
“I don’t find that many people speed,” she said. “I don’t know if (speed bumps are) needed, but I’m not opposed.”
Staff put out a solar speed board in the area in recent weeks, Simon said, which could bring back some data for council to consider.
Councillors expressed that they should defer to staff for the best solution.
Speed bumps particularly pose issues, Councillor Victor Woodhouse said.
“It creates additional issues we don’t always anticipate,” he said, noting emergency vehicles, noise and people speeding between bumps. “If there’s a better solution to help slow down, that will be ideal.”
Council will consider a future report from staff on the matter.
