Speeding by those speed reader boards may not net you an expensive traffic ticket but it will get you onto the cops’ radar, says the RCMP.
The manned speed reader boards operated by Speed Watch volunteers are meant to be a public service reminder for drivers to keep within the speed limit.
A team of Speed Watch volunteers was out on Stamp Avenue on Tuesday, recording traffic speeds and numbers.
Speed Watch volunteers, made up of local citizens, keep track of how many vehicles have gone by and at what speed. The RCMP gets involved when drivers are clocked going more than 15 km/h over the speed limit.
“We send out a follow-up letter advising them that their vehicle travelled by a Speed Watch at an excessive speed,” said Port Alberni RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Jen Allan.
“The good news is our community is fairly good with compliance of the speed limit and we don’t see a lot of excessive speeding.”
Speed Watch volunteers Louie Aumair and Bruce Chapman were set up near the Best Western Barclay Hotel for a couple of hours Tuesday morning. Within the first 90 minutes, about 700 vehicles drove by, with 186 clocked going over the 50 km/h speed limit.
None were recorded going over 65 km/h.
“There hasn’t been very many speeders,” Chapman said. “I’m surprised.”
Allan added that Speed Watch currently has seven volunteers and is always looking for more.
“Instead of silently complaining about speeders and road safety in the community, come out and be part of the solution,” Allan said.
“It’s an excellent program, one that we encourage people to check out.”
Information about Speed Watch can be found at www.portalberni.ca/node/518.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com