New Speed Reader signs in Williams Lake

Editor's Note - other than the very small value in research - I'm not sure the $24,000 was justified especially with the speeding and general traffic issues near Marie Sharpe Elementary, I would think more enforcement by way of unmarked police cars during peak school times (before school and end of school day) would solve the issue of speeding plus a speed bump at 3rd Ave & Comer St and 3rd Ave and Cameron St.  But another option could be for the Board of Education to sell the Marie Sharpe Elementary property and to build a new elementary school at the former Poplar Glade Elementary site and I would think that this option would enjoy support among parents who faces a school closure at either Kwaleen, Glendale or Wildwood Elementary

From the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake and ICBC have partnered to place four speed reader boards on city streets. The boards will be located on South Lakeside Drive, Mackenzie Avenue, Pigeon Avenue between Gibbon Street and Comer Street, and on Foster Way.

Speed reader boards have several benefits. They advise the motoring public of their approaching speed. They can be programmed in various ways that will warn motorists of speed limits and restrictions. The new speed reader board will remind drivers to slow down, which, in turn, reduces crashes and saves lives. The boards operate 24 hours per day 7 days a week and provide data that is beneficial for making decisions on speed reduction, traffic calming, and traffic volumes .

ICBC has purchased two of the boards, which will be placed on South Lakeside Drive and Mackenzie Avenue for one year. The boards provide valuable information that comes from the downloaded data. Data will further indicate how many vehicles are driving by and at what times of the day. The reader boards will also show the driver what speed they are traveling and can be programmed to flash “SLOW DOWN”. After the one-year term, the City may place the boards at other locations.

“This partnership will allow us not only to collect valuable data, but to help keep everyone safe on our roads,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “These speed reader boards are valuable tools to help us make decisions and to increase awareness for us all to slow down and arrive safely.”

“We’re pleased to invest in new speed reader boards for Williams Lake to help keep the community safe,” says Diana Pozer, ICBC’s road safety coordinator for Williams Lake. “Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and when combined with the poor weather conditions at this time of year, dramatically increases your risk of crashing. Slow down and allow extra travel time so you get home safely.”