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Speed Watch coming to Pemberton

RCMP searching for volunteers to run program in wake of traffic fatalities

An educational program aimed at stopping speedy drivers is seeking volunteers in the Pemberton area.

Cpl. Paul Vadik explained that RCMP were recently able to secure funding through ICBC to bring the Speed Watch program to the region, in the aftermath of a rash of speed and alcohol related crashes.

“There has been some media attention given to the issue of the Speed Watch program as a result of all our traffic fatalities, most of which were speed and alcohol related,” said Vadik.

The program is operated by volunteers, who are trained by the police to monitor speeds in neighbourhoods using portable radar equipment and an electronic digital board.

Drivers are able to see an instant readout of their speed, which is displayed on the reader board as they pass by.

Volunteers record the speed of each vehicle, and other infractions, and forward their findings to the police. The results are used for informational purposes by police agencies, municipalities, school districts, ICBC and local media.

But don’t expect to see them parked along Highway 99.

“Volunteers won’t be doing Speed Watch on the highway, per se, because the speeds are too high,” Vadik explained.

“But it will allow the police to have more time to do radar on the highway.”

Monitoring will be done in areas like school zones, Pemberton Meadows Road, Park Street on the highway, and along the airport road.

Vadik says they are looking for about 10 volunteers to help with the program, and so far, four have come forward.

Police and ICBC will train volunteers on safety, site selection, set-up, roadside conduct, dealing with difficult people, and data collection, and each will be outfitted with high-visibility jackets and vests.

The program is aimed at curbing speeding by raising public awareness, creating neighbourhood action and gathering data.