News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Dear Mayor Cook and Council:

Re: November 20, 2012 Council Meeting – Speed Reader board placement on 3rd Ave.

I wish I could say that I was happy to hear of the remediation solution for the ongoing dangerous driving that occurs on 3rd Ave…but I can’t.

The placement of the Speed Reader sign on 3rd Ave. in my opinion is an unnecessary stalling of correcting the safety issues that have been ongoing and unchecked for years that have resulted in ingrained behaviour that has no consideration for the safety or the quality of life for the students or the residents of 3rd ave.

In my opinion there is ample evidence of the driving habits that I illuminated in my previous letter from:

• The Citizens on Patrol Speed Watch campaigns.
• Appeals from the schools.
• The pedestrian accident that involved a young female student from Marie Sharpe earlier this year.
• My letter that was signed by 20 concerned parents, staff, neighbours, and the Postal Carrier for 3rd Ave.

I would also like to put forth that although the speed reader board would collect data concerning the speed of the vehicles it will not record the conditions that would show that speeds within the speed limit would be unsafe because of: cars parked on the shoulders, children crossing between cars, busses trying to pull away from the curb, blinding sunlight, or icy conditions.

It is becoming apparent that Williams Lake has a problem with dangerous drivers from the rash of recent letters to Council (Foster Way petition that I may add was signed by two RCMP members, Bev Holden’s letter concerning traffic and pedestrian safety at the intersection of Oliver and Mackenzie Ave.), the ongoing traffic accidents (the recent high speed accident on Mackenzie that obliterated two hydro poles is most notable not to mention the hit and run accident earlier this year that claimed the life of one young woman and seriously injured another) which leads me to believe that the time has come for more hands on action than an unmanned Speed Reader Board.

It is time that this Council makes a commitment of pedestrian and road safety by active police enforcement, appropriate zoning, speed bumps in high-risk areas and first hand observation of reported problem areas that would enable a quick response not the ongoing collection of data.

I have yet to have anyone from City Hall contact me regarding my concerns and I would welcome the chance to not only discuss the problem but invite all to my house to observe the traffic over a cup of coffee.

Respectfully yours,

Kim Y. Herdman
Williams Lake, BC

CC:

Inspector Warren Brown
Brad Thompson "E" Division Traffic Services Headquarters
School District 27 Board
Bev Boyle Editor Got News Network Inc.
Diana Pozer ICBC Road Safety Coordinator
Steve Forseth The Social Planning Council

Read our original article: Council slated to review letter of safety at Marie Sharpe School

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