Death of family dog prompts petition to reduce speeds in Waterloo neighbourhood

A north Waterloo woman has launched a change.org petition, calling on the city to increase speed enforcement along Highpoint Avenue.

Highpoint runs between Northfield Drive West and Toll Gate Boulevard near Bearinger Road and Westmount Road.

Collette Whelan was outside her home on Oct. 18, when her two-year-old Humane Society rescue dog Khoas was stuck and killed by a speeding vehicle. Whelan told 570 NewsRadio she’s been seeing more vehicles since moving to Highpoint Avenue in 2008.

“The increase in traffic and the speeds I’ve been seeing has always been a concern but now that I’ve experienced this incident with my dog, it has sort-of reawaken me to possibility that something really awful could happen to a child on this street.”

Whelan said it’s not just cars, she’s also watched as city buses routinely speed past in excess of 60 km/h. She adds that she’s observed some very dangerous situations.

“Very often there are cars parked on the righthand side of the road and I’ve seen cars pass each other on the street, which is very alarming given the fact that kids are out there from dawn to dusk.”

Whelan reached out her city councillor, Ward 7’s Hans Roach, who has shown nothing but support for her cause.

“He says he has the same concerns as many of us do. He has presented in council about this issue already and he has shared some information about plans for more speed studies and enforcement in this area. He was the one who recommended I get a petition going.”

She said Roach would then present those signatures to council.

The petition is well on its way to reaching its goal of 200 signatures. Whelan says she’s received tons of support from neighbours but also a few nasty comments online, but she won’t let the detractors bring her down.