Hundreds of drivers seemingly unaware of new school speed zone in Kamloops

The new speed zone at Westsyde Elementary School in Kamloops is the focus of an RCMP campaign aimed at educating drivers about the 30 km/h speed limit.

Kamloops RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says in a media release drivers appear to be unaware of the new speed zone on Westsyde Road or they are not used to slowing down for it.

As a result, volunteers have been out twice with speed watch signs to let drivers know when they are speeding, with RCMP officers following up with a speed trap.

During the first speed watch campaign on Sept. 22 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 365 vehicles were checked, according to the media release. Of those, 125 vehicles were going one to 10 km/h over the speed limit, 45 vehicles were doing 11 to 20 km/h over the limit, 32 vehicles were observed doing 21 to 30 km/h over, 18 vehicles were travelling 31 to 40 km/h over and four vehicles were caught doing 41 km/h or more over the speed limit.

The next day, police issued 20 violation tickets during a two-hour period in the afternoon to individuals speeding in the school zone.

Another speed watch sign was set up on Oct. 17, with volunteers checking more than 330 vehicles between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Of those, 107 vehicles were observed going one to 10 km/h over the speed limit, 19 were seen going 11 to 20 km/h over, three vehicles were going 21 to 30 km/h over and 10 vehicles were seen going over the limit by 31 to 40 km/h.

That afternoon, Kamloops RCMP ticketed seven drivers in 30 minutes.

The speed watch volunteers will be back at Westsyde Elementary tomorrow, Oct. 29, as the RCMP education campaign continues.

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