Four solar-powered educational radars have been installed at various locations along Chemin du Richelieu (route 223), near Saint-Basile-le-Grand.
“We’re not going to wait for authorizations and we’re going to put them in place,” said Saint-Basile-le-Grand Mayor Yves Lessard. This was a few days after the municipal council met in a special assembly to authorize an expenditure of $18,855 for the acquisition of these four educational radars.
Route 223 is a provincially-regulated artery. The educational radars are located at various strategic locations, two in each direction, towards McMasterville and towards Carignan. They were set up almost a month ago. The goal is to secure this section of the road that runs along the Richelieu River.
“We have noticed some changes since then, especially when drivers see their speed on the radar. It calms things down a bit,” says Yves Lessard, in an interview with The Slopes.
Erratic behavior
According to the mayor, some drivers still have “erratic behavior” in places where there are no radars. The speed limit, among other things, is not respected. Illegal overtaking has also been observed.
The newspaper moved to Chemin du Richelieu. Several road users were driving above the speed limit as they approached the educational radars. Some took the time to slow down at the sight of the new signage, while others continued on their way, sometimes well over 60 km/h.
What do local residents think?
A resident of the road in question, Line Marie Laurin, admits that she does not see any change in the driving of motorists. But she does not live near one of the educational radars that have been set up. “But that does not mean that there is no effect closer to the radar,” she told the newspaper. Her partner, however, notes an increase in police interventions in the area.
According to the Richelieu – Saint-Laurent Intermunicipal Police Authority, 41 tickets have been issued over the past month for speeding on Route 223.
The initiator of the citizens’ group on Chemin du Richelieu, Pierre Ouellette, lives very close to one of these new signs. Reached by The Slopeshe was kind enough to testify. “There is a very positive influence for a small portion of motorists who drive at 60 km/h, who take their foot off the gas and slow down to 54 km/h. I would say that represents 40% of the vehicles that pass in front,” estimates the Grandbasilois. The others, or about 60%, sometimes drive over 65 km/h. “They are those who have no awareness of safety issues,” denounces the man.
Presence of heavy trucks
Mr. Ouellette is dreading the day when the Northvolt construction work will result in 400 to 500 heavy trucks passing through on Chemin du Richelieu every day. The drivers of these heavy trucks have a standard set by the company to respect, namely to limit themselves to a speed of 50 km/h on this artery. “People who are used to driving at more than 65 km/h will try to overtake these trucks, perhaps at 80 km/h. We are asking for double lanes all along the road to prevent overtaking,” continues the man who praises the work of Mayor Lessard. “I am satisfied. He is proactive in this matter. We have the same needs, the same goals, which is to make Route 223 safer.”
