A new Coquitlam driver is spending the first week of May without a vehicle and is likely hearing from peers about the risks of dangerous driving amid an annual awareness campaign by B.C. police.
Just days before high-risk driving month began on May 1, local police clocked the driver at 119 km/h in a 50 zone — and they didn't have an 'N' properly displayed on their vehicle.
RCMP tell the Tri-City News one of its officers on a motorcycle caught the excessive speedster around 9:30 p.m. on April 29 near the intersection of David Avenue and Lansdowne Drive in the Westwood Plateau neighbourhood.
The vehicle was immediately impounded for seven days.
While no official fine was shared, the violation-ticket total could have ranged between $450 and $600.
ICBC says excessive speeding warrants a fine between $368 and $483, plus three points against a license, and $109 for failing to display an 'N' sign.
'First, slow down'
Excessive speeding is one of the key behaviours of high-risk driving, police say.
In B.C., several campaigns are launched in the month of May to educate and curb high-risk driving as more vehicles are starting to get on the road in taking advantage of the middle of spring.
According to highway patrol (BCHP), this could lead to a potential increase in collisions and the latest Coquitlam incident is a prime example of what not to do.
"Driving is a complex, divided attention task and there are several easy things drivers can do to reduce risk to themselves, their families and other motorists," explains BCHP Chief Superintendent Holly Turton, noting commuters can expect more enforcement out on local roads as part of the initiative.
"First, slow down, obey speed limits, wear your seat belt, drive defensively, drive sober and free of distractions. By following these simple rules, we are making our highways safer together."
ICBC says, on average, 27 people are killed in the Lower Mainland each year from speed-related crashes.
Factors can include:
- Speeding or excessive speeding
- Impaired driving
- Driving without due care and attention
- Distracted driving or use of electronic devices
- Following too closely
- Ignoring traffic control devices
- Improper passing
- Racing or stunting
National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day is set for May 21, 2022.
Reduce speed near flashing, pulled-over vehicles
Meanwhile, last Saturday (April 30), police from Port Moody were also on the outskirts of the city helping BCAA conduct its Slow Down, Move Over campaign.
The precursor to B.C.'s high-risk driving month saw 24 drivers receive violation tickets for speeding near a pulled-over vehicle with flashing lights on the Barnet Highway (7A) — alongside Burnaby RCMP.
One particular commuter was caught going 107 km/h in the 80 zone, resulting in a $138 ticket and three points against their license.
Provincial law states motorists must slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped alongside the road, including maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers.
The speeds are:
- 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone
- 40 km/h when in an under 80 km/h zone
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility. By not respecting the law, drivers are creating added risk for everyone who works on the roadway," said Burnaby RCMP Const. Kevin Connolly.
"Take a few extra seconds in your day to slow down and move over, and do your part in ensuring road safety for everyone."
BCAA's campaign occurred three days after a three-vehicle collision caused heavy congestion on Highway 1 through Coquitlam.
On April 27, one person was sent to hospital while another person received a violation ticket for driving without due care under Section 144.1(a) of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.
BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) said the lead commuter was braking for the traffic ahead, but two trailing drivers were too close and rear-ended them as a result.
Crews were forced to close three lanes — including the HOV — while responding to the crash, and a pair of tow trucks were deployed to haul two of the vehicles off the road.
