Provincial Speed Campaign
We’re excited to announce the launch of our provincial Speed campaign with community initiatives taking place throughout the province during the month of May. With more people sharing the roads during the warmer months, we’re raising awareness of the risks of speeding and encouraging drivers to slow down, be attentive to all road users, and follow posted speed limits.
Throughout the month, we, as Cowichan Community Policing, along with Speed Watch volunteers and RCMP members, will be actively supporting the campaign and local enforcement initiatives across B.C., urging drivers to make safer choices on the road.
Key aspects of ICBC’s speed campaigns:
- Increased enforcement: Patrols & speed checks
- Speed Watch deployments: Volunteers deploy speed-reader to remind drivers of their speed and encourage them to slow down
- Public awareness & education: Advertising/social media to educate drivers on dangers of speeding & consequences of speeding tickets
Key messages to drivers from ICBC:
- Speed plays a role in every crash. When you drive at safer speeds, you can prevent crashes and protect the lives of all road users on B.C. roads
- The faster you drive, the more likely you are to crash and the greater the impact. Going 5 km/h over the speed limit increases your risk of crashing by 50%
- Set realistic travel times and be mindful of rush hours and delays
- Speeding fines range from $138 to $483 and may include penalty points and/or vehicle impoundment
Speed Watch Program:
Pairs of volunteers are seen at different spots all over the community with the Community Policing van and reader boards. They are there to help drivers become more aware of the speed they are traveling with the end goal of reducing speeding and keeping the neighbourhoods safe.
Speed Watch Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Two hour initial training session.
- Conduct a Speed Watch deployment twice a month (each deployment is 2 hours). This is done in pairs & we are happy to pair you up.
- Attend monthly general meetings.
Keep an eye out for our Volunteers out on deployments in your area or give us a call at one of our 3 offices to find out more about the program and what you can do to prevent speeding/unsafe road use!
