Drivers who disobey the rules of the road in Puslinch may soon have additional eyes on them, reporting their transgressions.
Puslinch council has provided in-principle support of a Road Watch program in the township, following the recommendation from its Community Oriented Policing (COP) committee.
“We have a [sub-committee] of four working very hard on this project and the OPP are very pleased that we in Puslinch are willing to go forward with this program,” said Glenna Smith, chairman of the COP committee, in a recent report to council.
Smith’s letter was seeking approval of a $3,500 budget to have program signs installed in 15 locations throughout Puslinch on both township and county roads.
According to roadwatch.ca, the program was started in 1993 after a fatal accident in Caledon to encourage drivers “to make responsible decisions behind the wheel” and to ensure “the community’s stance on road safety is widely known and respected.”
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said, “The signs act as a deterrent,” but the program still relies on local residents to play a role. As such, he added, training and educating locals is an important part of the program.
Councillor Susan Fielding called the program a “win-win” for everyone involved and councillor Dick Visser said it is very important to have it in place in Puslinch.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe said OPP Inspector Scott Smith mentioned at a recent Police Services Board meeting the OPP is interested in perhaps expanding the program across Wellington?County.
Whitcombe called the $3,500 a modest budget for the signs and said he expects the expenditure to be approved during budget deliberations.
