Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: At last, something done about speeders in Westwold, Falkland

Dec 11, 2019 | 5:23 AM

KAMLOOPS — IT’S ALWAYS NICE to see authorities actually doing something when a situation arises in need of action.

Kamloops RCMP, bylaws officers, Kamloops Fire Rescue and others held a public awareness event at the Tournament Capital Centre on Tuesday.

The purpose was to draw attention to the need for care when driving in the area. Raising awareness is always a good thing and usually works for awhile but, without infrastructure changes, drivers soon return to their old, careless ways.

Another dangerous traffic situation, this one between Kamloops and Vernon, is finally being addressed. The North Okanagan Traffic Services section is moving into the Falkland RCMP detachment this week in hopes of doing something about excessive speeding in the Falkland and Westwold areas.

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They’ll have their hands full, especially since they also have to keep an eye on other parts of the North Okanagan and Shuswap.

A long straight stretch through Westwold has been posted at 70 km/h for many years, and nobody keeps to the limit — it’s just too tempting. Westwold is pretty rural but there’s a school, a few homes and a number of businesses along that part of the highway. A common speed in the 70 zone is around 90, which is the posted speed on either side of the community.

Falkland residents must get awfully tired of people ignoring the 50 km/h limit as they tear through the community. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done to Highway 97 in either of those two places to force drivers to slow down, and building awareness will do little. Drivers already know the speed limits.

Enforcement is the only answer, and an increased police presence in the area will, hopefully, accomplish what common sense hasn’t done so far.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.