Because of the sheer volume of people and vehicles along Lakeshore Drive during the peak tourist season, the RCMP would be in favour of lowering the speed limit from 50 to 30 km/h between May and September, said Osoyoos detachment commander Kevin Schur.
Asked to appear before town council following a debate by councillors two weeks ago about whether or not to lower the speed limit along one of the town’s busiest corridors during the tourist season, Schur said police statistics indicate Lakeshore Drive is one of the busiest streets in the town during tourist season.
Between 2010-12,  there were 12 motor vehicle accidents along Lakeshore Drive and another 29 traffic-related violations and 60 bylaw infractions for things like public intoxication, said Schur.
When asked by Coun. Mike Plante if he would be in favour of lowering the speed limit, Schur said he thinks it’s a good idea, but only during peak tourist season from May to September.
“From a policing perspective, I think it would be good to lower it to 30 km/h in the summer months,” he said. “There’s an incredible amount of traffic, but very little shoulder space on either side of the road … and there are a lot of people crossing back and forth and just a lot of people down there in general.”
He would not be in favour of lowering the speed limit the other seven months of the year, said Schur.
Two weeks ago, some members of council, particularly Sue McKortoff and Michael Ryan, argued they were in favour of lowering the speed limit year-round because there are so many homes and campgrounds in the area.
Some members of council said they would also consider any option that included lowering the speed limit during peak tourist season between May and September.
However, Mayor Stu Wells said he believes lowering the speed limit along such a long stretch of road would result in numerous complaints from citizens and tourists alike because he was of the opinion 30 km/h is too slow and many drivers would ignore signs and drive too fast.
Wells told councillors he has taken the time to drive down Lakeshore Drive, which is more than three miles long, at 30 km/h and it was frustrating.
He believes local residents who live on this street would be very upset if the speed limit was dramatically lowered.
Wells said he would be in favour of testing out portable road signs that have technology to post the speed vehicles are travelling at as it would provide a constant reminder to drive safely and slowly along this busy corridor.
If the current speed limit remains in place, officers won’t pull over anyone travelling under 50 km/h, even during peak tourist season, because they won’t be breaking any laws, said Schur.
If council does decide to lower the speed limit, they should “give a lot of lead in time” because residents who live in the area have been used to the 50 km/h limit for many years, said Schur.
Schur did agree portable signs that clearly show how fast people are driving are also an excellent way to slow down traffic, said Schur.
When council was informed that ICBC loans out portable signs and the technology used to post speeds to municipalities, as long as they have a local organization willing to take the responsibility of ensuring they’re properly set up and maintained, members of council said they would like to look at this option.
When asked if there have been any fatalities as a result of a motor vehicle collision along Lakeshore Drive in the past few years, Schur said he doesn’t believe there has been.
One young person was killed along that stretch of roadway a few years ago, but it was due to a medical condition to the best of his recollection, said Schur.
Council is expected to vote on the speed limit issue along Lakeshore Drive at its next regular meeting of council on April 2.