Granted it’s not the most conventional interchange in the network of highways in Ontario, and we can understand why local residents are apprehensive.

The interchange between Highways 10 and 410, at first glance, makes no sense. Northbound traffic on Highway 10 that wants to stay on Highway 10 is obliged to execute 360-degree loop. Things are somewhat simpler if one is heading south, although there are complications that have local residents and councillors concerned, not the least of which is the speed at which some drivers seem to be taking the southbound ramp.

There have been many e-mails sent back and forth on this issue, and many of them have been passed to the Citizen office.

There are virtual horror stories of people getting frustrated in their confusion trying to get through the interchange. As a result, some of these people have apparently pulled illegal U-turns, run stop signs, etc.

Despite that, we believe there are a couple of things that residents in the area have to bear in mind. Despite whatever fears there might be, reports from Caledon OPP report accidents in the area have been relatively rare, and those that have taken place have been the result of other factors, such as weather, swerving to avoid animals, etc. There is also the basic reality that there are some bad drivers out there, and the most brilliantly designed interchange the world is not going to change that.

As well, Caledon OPP Staff Sergeant Greg Sweeney recently told the Valleywood Residents’ Association (VRA) that they had been addressing concerns about compliance with the four-way stop at the intersection of Royal Valley Drive and Valleywood Boulevard. He reported the problem is largely internal, with a “fairly high percentage” of the violations being committed by Valleywood residents.

As long as there are concerns for safety in the area, government officials (at both the municipal and Provincial levels) as well as police are obligated to do something about them. As well, the obligation falls on the people living in the area. From what Sweeney said, it seems bad drivers can live anywhere, including Valleywood. Perhaps an example needs to be set.

Although the statistics tell a certain story, we have to accept the concerns of the residents as being genuine. Another reality is one kid getting hit by a frustrated motorist is going to dramatically change the dynamic.

That has to be addressed too.