Despite recent efforts taken to increase public safety along Highway 26, a serious collision occurred near Grey Road 19 on Wednesday afternoon, closing both lanes of traffic for a brief period.
“A vehicle going eastbound on Highway 26 went into the oncoming lane/traffic colliding with a westbound vehicle,” says Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Const. Martin Hachey.
According to Hachey, an 18-year-old driver was charged with Careless Driving under the Highway Traffic Act.
There were no injuries as a result and speed does not appear to be a factor, noted the constable.
“It appears the charged motorist may have taken his eyes off the road momentarily, which caused him to veer into the other lane,” Hachey says.
He adds that the driver was not using electronics, and so, the offence is considered careless driving, as opposed to distracted driving.
Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) Mayor Alar Soever recently took steps to improve public safety along this specific stretch of the highway.
Late last week, the speed limit along Highway 26 from Delphi Lane to Grey Road 21 was reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h. A direct response to a letter from Soever to Premier Doug Ford.
"This stretch of highway has long been a problem, but the added traffic as people staycation as a result of COVID-19 and the resulting numbers of people at our beaches, have brought it to a crisis point,” says Soever.Soever adds that bylaw officers who have been posted at Northwinds Beach along Highway 26 have witnessed a number of concerning incidents over the past few weeks, many that involved speeding and dangerous passing.
On July 6, Soever penned a request to Premier Ford and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), asking to reduce the speed limit, which was followed up with a brief phone call on July 8.
The province was quick to act and had the new 50 km/h speed limit posted on July 10, only four days after the written request was made.
The almost-immediate change has drawn the attention of many residents who question what kind of evaluation process could have been taken in just four days.
“Many residents have voiced their concerns about this in social media groups,” says local resident, Martin Tekela, who adds he has taken it a step further by reaching out to the MTO with his concerns.
“Who approved this speed reduction and what evidence does the MTO have that this speed reduction will be safe and effective?” Tekela asks, noting that in many cases reduced speed can incite other issues, such as road rage or illegal passing.
Soever says the MTO was well aware of the issues along this stretch of the highway long before last week’s phone call.
“The MTO knows that this stretch of highway has issues and has corresponded with both the town and area residents on several occasions in the past,” Soever says. “I do not know to what extent the MTO factored in this previous information.”
According to Soever, the reduced speed limit of 50 km/h from Delphi Lane to Grey Road 21 on Highway 26 will be in effect until Tuesday, Oct. 13, at which point it will return to 80 km/h.
He adds that TBM council and staff will be examining all of the possible long term solutions to improve traffic flow and public safety along this particular roadway.
“The town will continue to work with the province to develop a long term solution for this stretch of highway,” Soever says. “We continue to monitor the situation in consultation with the OPP and will suggest changes to the MTO as required."
