Oliver Speed Watch monitors drivers’ actions in school zones.
Principal Karen Sinclair from Oliver Elementary is “shocked” by the habits of some drivers at the school.
During a recent assembly, she talked about safety relating to students being dropped off and picked up. She cited the results of a recent Speed Watch campaign conducted by volunteers, led by coordinator Ron Johnson.
Sinclair noted that 142 vehicles were observed in the school zone, where the speed limit is 30 km/h.
She said 14 vehicles were observed speeding, the fastest being 37 km/h, according to Johnson.
Sinclair said what shocked her was being told that a total of 16 drivers were not wearing their seat belts. “If your parents are not wearing their seat belts, you tell them . . .”
Johnson said he wasn’t surprised. “We notice it quite often. It’s generally the mothers.”
Johnson said the drivers figure it’s only a short jaunt to the school, so they don’t bother buckling up.
One driver was using a cell phone, and two drivers made illegal U-turns in front of the school.
“That shocked me the most,” Sinclair said.
Johnson said there was no other traffic on the road when the U-turns were made.
Sinclair asked the students to remind their parents that they are not allowed to do these unsafe acts.
One driver didn’t stop at the crosswalk when students were intending to cross the road. Both Sinclair and Johnson were impressed with the fact that all students used the crosswalk.
Sinclair cited one instance when she was backing up her vehicle and almost hit a mother who walked behind her car.
“It scared me,” the principal admitted.
Johnson said he didn’t notice anything blatant that required the RCMP’s presence. The driver who was travelling at 37 km/h was doing so when no children were around.
Johnson said Speed Watch volunteers pass their findings on to the RCMP, who decide if additional enforcement is needed.
Oliver Crime Watch/Speed Watch is always looking for more volunteers to patrol the community in order to keep neighbourhoods safe. In the Crime Watch program, volunteers are the eyes and ears of the RCMP, while Speed Watch volunteers monitor speeds.
For more information call 250-498-4364.
By Lyonel Doherty
