Road-safety panel moves to install Yukon speed signs after data shows high rates of speeding

The Old Lyme Road and Safety Committee on Monday prioritized installing two Yukon speed-feedback signs and reviewed a week of data showing widespread speeding on monitored streets.

Cassidy, the committee chair, opened discussion about local safety measures and updates on speed humps and signs. John, who prepared the vendor reports, presented a weekly summary for McCertie Road showing 4,773 vehicle passes for the week of June 1–7 and a distribution of speeds across bands; he told the group, “this is a weekly report of statistics summary for McCertie Road.” Committee members cited a high share of recorded violations at one monitored location — figures discussed during the meeting included an asserted 95% violation metric for that site — and asked for more targeted counts at enforcement thresholds.

Why it matters: Committee members said the data will inform whether the town pursues automated enforcement or relies on traditional policing and engineering fixes. The group is weighing less‑costly measures (speed humps, static signs, rotating radar signs) against the costs, data needs and privacy concerns of camera-based enforcement.

The committee discussed hardware and installation logistics: speed humps already ordered were quoted at roughly $2,600 each with installation near $3,000, and the committee is pursuing available underspent public-works funds to cover installation and additional warning signage. Members reviewed missing keys and lock hardware for the existing radar signs and a separate quote for replacement parts and delivery.

John explained how the vendor reports break out counts and speed bands; the group asked him to run counts for drivers exceeding a likely enforcement threshold (for example, 36 mph). Using the report’s counts, John said a 36‑mph threshold would have produced an estimated 33% violation rate on McCertie — roughly 1,600 potential tickets in one week at that single location — and lower but still measurable ticket volumes at Lime Street and Sill Lane.

Committee members raised data‑quality questions. One member said she observed 71 vehicles in an hour while the sign recorded 55, and speakers identified foliage, sign height and mounting position as likely contributors to undercounting. The committee also noted the vendor had extended cloud access only through the end of June; if locations or user access are not finalized the committee could lose remote data access.

Privacy and enforcement: Several members, including Sophie, urged caution before recommending automated camera enforcement, citing surveillance and privacy concerns. “I myself am really ambivalent about implementing speed cameras in town for that reason,” Sophie said. Others emphasized that policing resources and grant funding for enforcement would shape what is feasible.

Next steps: The committee agreed to prioritize installing the two Yukon signs, coordinate with the police department to identify enforcement‑relevant report outputs, and work with public works on installation logistics and mounting. Members said they will request police input on specific sign locations (Shore Road and Tom Woods Road were discussed as candidate sites) and set up report access for enforcement staff. The chair also said she will contact the police department and follow up with the installer on a site visit.