If you’re travelling on Hwy. 2 in Brighton near the No Frills plaza, you may have noticed new 60 km/h signs posted indicating a speed reduction.
The change has come into effect for the stretch of road between the area by the No Frills plaza and Boes Road (roughly) and is permanent. This was part of a Northumberland County-led broader plan to improve road safety in an additional 18 designated areas, a county spokesperson has confirmed.
The change – which does follow public outcry in recent years from area residents – was reportedly approved by county council in September 2024. However, area residents would have just noticed installation of signs.
In other words, this wasn’t a decision spearheaded at the municipal level in Brighton and isn’t tied to the municipality’s automated speed enforcement (ASE) rollout along Elizabeth Street near the plaza and continuing along this stretch of road by local schools – although, motorists are also being urged to slow their roll in this area, too.
In response to inquiries around the speed limit reduction, the county spokesperson said the goal is to improve compliance and safety, and help drivers slow down gradually, rather than dropping from an 80 km/h zone to a 40 km/h zone all at once.
“This decision also responds to resident concerns and traffic data from this area showing a need for reduced speeds,” added the spokesperson, who also echoed that while speed cameras are coming online near this area, “this effort is separate and not directly connected.”
Some residents have questioned why “new” tabs haven’t been used on the speed limit signs indicating a change.
The county spokesperson said this decision was based on road design guidelines, and that research shows such “tabs” don’t significantly change driver behaviour for speed limits. Such tabs are therefore reserved for stop signs and signals to maximize impact, added the spokesperson.
Northumberland County previously pushed through a bylaw amendment to accommodate the speed limit changes in 18 areas. As reported earlier, the changes built on regional analysis, provincial standards, and the 2017 transportation master-plan.
As for Brighton’s speed cameras, while the sign starts flashing around the No Frills, Tim Hortons and gas station plaza, the 90-day notification period is still underway for the automated speed enforcement program along Elizabeth Street. It officially started April 15 – the camera is up and working, but tickets aren’t being dished out just yet.
Citations are set to start on July 14. Municipal officials said at this time, a “camera in use” sign will go up, informing drivers the camera is active.
The cameras record speedsters “automatically.”
Any tickets will be mailed to registered vehicle owners, regardless of who was behind the wheel.
Brighton had started posting speed camera “coming soon” signs in the area in April 2024 but work reportedly took longer than anticipated etching out agreements with provincial ministries.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
