Oliver Speed Watch volunteers are concerned about distracted driving in the community. Shown here are Ron Johnson (foreground) and Jim Johnstone monitoring speeds north of Town.
According to Oliver Speed Watch, the provincial government could be cashing in big time on distracted drivers here.
The volunteer organization set up two speed watch locations in early May to monitor the driving habits of local motorists. Volunteers were watching for various infractions, including driving while using cell phones and non use of seat belts. Speeds were also recorded in the school zone on Fairview Road.
Speed Watch coordinator Ron Johnson said a total of 1,244 vehicles passed their checkpoint at the intersection of Fairview and Highway 97. From this number, 18 drivers were using a cell phone, which would have netted the province $3,006. The fine is $167, but that is increasing to $368 starting June 1.
Of these 1,244 vehicles, 89 drivers were not wearing seat belts, which could have put $14,863 in the government’s pocket, Johnson said.
“For just one hour in our sleepy little town the province would be $17,869 richer.”
In the school zone at Southern Okanagan Secondary School, between 8-9 am, 158 vehicles were checked for speed as well as cell phone and seat belt usage. Johnson said 93 vehicles exceeded the limit of 30 km/h. That would have made the Liberal government $18,228 richer, he pointed out.
Thirteen vehicles were driven in excess of 50 km/h, for a total of $3,289 in fines.
Two drivers were using a cell phone. “Ka-ching.” Three hundred and thirty four dollars, thank you.
For just one hour in a school zone (assuming zero tolerance for speed), the province would have collected another $21,851, Johnson said.
He stated that for just one hour of being too lazy or forgetting to buckle up (can’t wait until you reach your destination, to phone someone or have to speed up to get someplace really important), the province would have collected $39,720.
Johnson said it takes less than three minutes (barring getting stopped for a red light) to get from the Alliance Church in the north to Southwinds Crossing Shopping Centre, and three minutes from Road 2 to the hospital.
“Slow down, buckle up and put away your cell phone. The government takes enough money away from us. Don’t make it easy for them to balance the budget.”
Johnson said they set up another Speed Watch station in front of Oliver Elementary School on May 17 from 8 am to 8:30 am.
During this time they monitored 122 vehicles. Twelve motorists exceeded the 30 km/h speed limit.
Two motorists executed illegal U-turns, while nine were not wearing seat belts.
Johnson noted there were six jaywalkers in the school zone.
He observed four parents who sent their kids across the road without supervision.
“We also had a couple of smart children that refused to go across and instead went to the crosswalk (taking their parents with them).”
Johnson said he observed three parents smoking in the car while their children were still inside the vehicle.
