Slow rider
Trevor's Take
A graduate of the University of Toronto, Trevor Hutchinson is a songwriter, writer and bookkeeper. He serves as Contributing Editor at The Lindsay Advocate. He lives with his fiancee and their five kids in Lindsay.
I have never been good at slowing down or taking a break for that matter. Growing up I got constant parental and grandparental advice to “not burn the candle at both ends.” And when I was younger, I was a bit of a speed demon on the roads. Not that I’d tell my just-getting-licenced kid this now, but I was a freaking idiot behind the wheel.
I was never a gearhead and never had sports cars, but I did some stupid stuff at stupid speeds in stupid conditions. I continue to give thanks that my stupidity resulted in limited damage or no physical injury to others, at least when I was at fault. It was back in the day and things were different. That doesn’t excuse anything, I know. It’s just that my idiocy was more culturally acceptable than it is now.
Thankfully age, with its dawning sense of mortality and a gut feeling that I had used up my luck, made me gear down. Memories of a few friends who didn’t make it out of this phase also gave pause for reflection. Basically, I grew up and slowed down.
So I was super interested to see how the reduction of speed limits for certain neighbourhoods which began in the urban areas of the city in June 2023 would pan out.
As a policy measure, the data is pretty clear. Lower residential speed limits reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, provide better quality of life for residents and it is better for the environment and air quality.
Of course, this local policy change came in basically right after COVID. I have only anecdotal evidence, but I swear driving got worse at some point during the lockdowns. I’m not qualified to comment on the combined sociological reasons why, but drivers seemed to get worse, faster and care even less.
Change always takes time and there are always bumps on the 40 km per hour road. Certain cohorts of people who used to drive 40 in a 50 are driving 30 in a 40.
Some of my heavy-footed friends, who are technically amazing drivers, sometimes get frustrated. The inconsistency of those that don’t adhere and over-adhere can actually cause more dangerous conditions.
This will be the first spring of the new regulations (when people bring out their winter-stored motorcycles and sports cars.) Not to mention that every mammal, driver or not, is a little antsy and good to go at this time of year. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
Wishing everyone a happy spring! And remember, the motorcyclists are out. Look twice to save a life.
I think a lot of the worsening driving (of others, of course) is the banned use of the cell phone while driving. I have been a passenger with more than one friend who just can’t help glancing at the phone while driving, also glancing over shoulders and even at me, while I repeat “Eyes on the road, eyes on the road” to no avail. The driving aids in newer cars – like the video that helps drivers back up and improved steering that facilitates hands off – also diminish attention to the road. I honestly appreciate reduced speed limits as, while I do keep up on the highways, I like to go more slowly in town so it is easier to hit the brake when pedestrians – of all ages – and cyclists and scooters (and cats and squirrels) dart out in front of me. Also, I like a take-your-time environment that reduces stress around needing to give a wide berth to people driving powerchairs on the roads. Not to mention the ATVs.