The article that I wrote two weeks ago concerning solving your own road safety problems prompted an inquiry from the East Kootenays.
The writer complained that a section of Highway 31A leaving the town of New Denver was marked with a 50 zone ends speed sign and the next kilometre or so of the road had many driveways, some intersections, a pedestrian crossing for a public trail and was regularly used by cyclists and pedestrians.
Some drivers, with motorcyclists singled out for special mention, regularly travel here at speeds as high as 120 km/h. Can they please have a sign put up limiting the speed to 50 or 60 km/h here?
I wish that it was as simple as posting a sign to have drivers behave safely. From my policing experience, I suspect that speed signs are probably the most commonly ignored traffic control device on any of our highways. A well researched document showing a before and after comparison for a reasonable period of time that addresses the MOTI’s speed zone setting criteria would be difficult to brush off. The information is available to the public but is not a simple matter to obtain. Rather than shoulder the responsibility (and the work involved) alone, you could consider forming a community action group, even if it only includes your neighbours. You all have a stake in what happens where you live and a collection of voices is more difficult to ignore.
Tim Schewe is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement. To comment or learn more, please visit DriveSmartBC.ca