Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly mocked Toronto officials over the logistical challenge of installing new, unusually large speed limit signs. The signs, part of a province-wide initiative to replace speed cameras (which Ford banned as a “cash grab”), are reportedly too big for existing infrastructure in some areas.
The Problem: Signs Larger Than Poles
The new temporary speed limit signs, intended for 20 Toronto school zones, measure up to three feet wide and eight feet tall. This means the signs themselves are almost as tall as the poles currently used to display traffic signs. In Ottawa, where similar signs have already been implemented, officials had to install 12-foot wooden poles to support them.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has confirmed the city will need to replace poles to accommodate the oversized signs, with the province promising to cover the cost.
Premier Ford’s Reaction: “It’s a Joke”
Ford expressed disbelief that Toronto couldn’t manage the installation, stating, “When they told me this, I broke out laughing… Do I have to go there and show them how to put up a big sign?” He suggested that the issue is another excuse for inefficiency and urged the city to consider alternative traffic-calming measures like speed bumps instead.
Limited Alternatives: Speed Bumps and Flashing Lights
The province’s plan to replace cameras with signs, speed bumps, and flashing lights faces further limitations. Of the 150 locations where speed cameras have been banned, only 21 have been approved for speed humps or cushions, and none can accommodate full speed bumps or roundabouts.
Effectiveness Questioned
Studies reported by the Toronto Star suggest that large speed limit signs alone are unlikely to significantly deter speeding or aggressive driving.
The situation highlights a tension between political decisions and practical implementation, with Ford pushing for an alternative to cameras that requires substantial infrastructure adjustments. The effectiveness of the new approach remains uncertain.
