Ignore Speedwatch volunteers at your own peril. There could be a traffic cop further down the road, ready to nab drivers who don’t heed Speedwatch warnings. (PeachlandNews.com file photo/Dave Preston)
Contributed
15 Speedwatch volunteers, from West Kelowna and Peachland, and four RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services members teamed up on Thursday morning to conduct a speed enforcement initiative in Peachland.
Four Speedwatch teams set up in four different areas in and around Peachland with their familiar marked vehicles and radar speed reader boards.
The four RCMP members set up a little further down the road with laser speed readers to catch motorists who either ignored the Speedwatch teams, or sped up after passing by at posted speeds. In a one and a half hour period, 13 tickets for speeding were served. A 12 hour driving suspension was also given as was a Notice and Order for a defective vehicle. Tickets for Drive contrary to Restriction and driving through a Yellow light at Intersection were also written.
The Speedwatch Program is an effective tool that benefits Police, and the Public, not only by providing a physical roadside presence, but also by gathering useful traffic data that assists Police in targeting specific problem areas. The purpose of their efforts. like those of the Police, is to increase Road safety by changing driving attitudes and behaviors.
There are many drivers, on interior roadways, whose apathy and disregard for other road users poses the greatest threat to Public safety, and is reflected in the multiple Police contacts recorded in their driving histories. 7
Through ongoing Traffic Enforcement Projects it is the RCMP’s goal to change these behaviors with consequences applied through the Motor Vehicle Act, thereby reducing the collisions that can result in injury or death.
- Excited
- Informed
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It was obvious that as soon as the speed limit was dropped to 30Kph on Beach Avenue that the local wanto be Gendarme would be flexing their muscles and monitor Beach, It can be a money-maker for the Police/Government too.
Being one of the founding members of the Citizen Patrol years ago it was our mandate to patrol Peachland and advise the police that their imediate presents was required. Nothing more . Now years later we have a bunch that want to play policemen..I had one old fellow telling me how I should park my vehicle on Princeton Ave. I mentioned their Radar that obviously was not recently calibrated. Mentioned I knew nothing about the equipment. So much for the experts.
Safty on Beach Avenue is waiting for an accident. It takes approximately Forty feet to stop a vehicle at 30Kph, that includes driver re-action time. We have Bikes and rented Four wheeled monstrosities taking up the road, and it is illegal to cross the Solid Yellow line to overtake the slow traffic. From 13th. Avenue South Beach Avenue is the Signed road to Peachland on H97 from Westbank. Which includes Buses etc.
Speeding is caused deliberately or by distractions. Most try to abide by the rules however, Yes we all deviate from time to time. Be honest….