Cops target const. zone speeders

Contributed to Peachland News
March 18, 2011

Construction has recently resumed on Hw.y 97 South, from the south side of the William R. Bennett Bridge to Nancee Way. As a result, construction speed zones in this area have been employed and are being enforced by members of the RCMP’s Central Okanagan Traffic Services on an ongoing basis.

Enforcement initiatives were conducted on March 15 and 16 resulting in a number of motorists being served Violation Tickets for “Speed in a Construction Zone”.

On March 15, two separate initiatives were conducted, each an hour in length. 20 motorists were stopped for speeding and were given tickets. The top speed, in the 60km/h zone, was 94 km/h.

On March 16, another speed enforcement project was undertaken and 20 more motorists were stopped, in just over an hour, and the drivers given speeding tickets. Top speed was 87 km/h.

The fines, under Section 140 of the Motor Vehicle Act (Speed in Construction Zone), are greater than those under Section 146(3) (Speed against Highway Sign) because of the risk to personnel and equipment working in proximity to the section of highway that the speed zone is designed to protect.

Fines, in excess of the posted speed, are as follows:

• Exceed by less than 21 km/h=$196
• Exceed by 21-40 km/h=$253

Speed against Highway Sign fines are $138 and $196 respectively.

For those caught speeding, under Section 148(1) (Excessive Speed), between 41km/h to 60 km/h over the posted speed limit, the fine is $368. If you are over 60km/h over the posted speed limit, the fine is a whopping $483. In instances of Excessive Speed, the offending vehicle is Impounded for 7 days under the new Legislation.

The solution is simple. Please obey the speed signs and slow down. People’s lives depend on it.

– Kelowna RCMP