As the weather gets nicer and the roads finally aren’t as full of ice and snow, one east-end Barrie business owner says he's preparing for another bad year on his neighbourhood streets.
“Spring is coming and do you know what happens in this area in the spring? Open season for speeding,” said Fil Triantafillou.
Triantafillou is the name and face behind Fil’s Cafe in the Duckworth Plaza, a well-known eatery that has been operating for 37 years.
He also has a bird’s eye view of the traffic in the parking lot and on the roads surrounding the Duckworth Street restaurant.
“This is the worst couple of years and it's getting even worse,” Triantafillou told BarrieToday. “They come out of this plaza, from Tim Hortons, and just lay it down. Why? Sometimes it is two or three in the morning. Who is going to admire your hot wheels?”
Myrna Clark, who lives in the south end in the Cox Mill Rd. and Hurst Dr. area, told BarrieToday it isn't just the speeders, but the noise of modified vehicles that is causing a ruckus.
"I had someone use the excuse that some people just like their cars. My reaction was to ask what they feel about their neighbours," Clark said. "It's bad enough that they're speeding, but the noise is too much."
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said that the area of Duckworth and Grove streets is “not a location that is normally a concern,” but he encourages anyone who sees dangerous driving to contact police.
“When driving- and traffic-related issues occur, it is best to contact the police immediately and provide as much information as possible,” Leon said. “We have officers available to deal with calls for service when they are received.
"Road and traffic safety will always be a priority," he added.
Leon said the city has not seen an increase in reported cases of dangerous driving.
“Other communities have seen an increase in stunt-related driving activity, but that is not the case in Barrie,” he said. “We are asking motorists to drive and be courteous to those we are sharing the road with and show respect for the laws governing movement on our roads.
“Nothing has changed; driving is still a privilege and not a right," Leon added. "If a motorist chooses to do otherwise, enforcement is a costly alternative that may make them think twice the next time.”
Clark believes there isn't enough action being taken. She suggests an open forum of communication between the city and Barrie Police to decide how to proceed going forward.
"I don't think the people speeding or making noise are bad people; maybe they just need to hear how it is affects their neighbours," she said.
