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Resident calls it 'chronic problem'

District looks at options to combat speeding

Jun 15, 2020 | 5:15 AM

The District of Coldstream is looking into various options to address issues with speeding on Kalamalka Road and other problem areas of the district.

Mayor Jim Garlick says new speed reader boards set up on Kalamalka Road near Friesen’s restaurant seem to have helped, showing a decrease from previous readings, and the district is also collecting speed data in several areas to present to the RCMP for possible enforcement.

“We have been investing in magnetic speed readers to get more accurate data on various “problem” roads to get a better idea of the extent of speeding claims. If excessive speed is actually found to be a problem, we are providing the RCMP with the speeds and times to better target drivers who refuse to adhere to posted speed limits,” Garlick told Vernon Matters.

“Kalamalka Road has speeding issues,” continued Garlick. “We have asked staff to bring back traffic calming options with costs for council to consider. We are hoping to get drivers to slow down on Kal Road or choose to remain on Highway 6 if they feel they need to drive at highway speeds.”

Gary Shwaluk, who lives on Kalamalka Road east of Aberdeen Road, says it’s an ongoing problem, especially in the early morning, between 5 and 7 a.m., and the early evening.

“This is not a one-vehicle thing, or having two people in the neighborhood who are driving ridiculously. This is a chronic, sort of systemic problem. There is aggression on the roads all over, but we’re seeing it really high here,” Shwaluk told Vernon Matters.

Shwaluk has been working on the issue for three years, even talking with police.

“[Using] calming measures on a road where people are violating the speed limit insanely daily, I don’t know what they would do to change it, other than putting in a stop sign or speed bump. It has to be fairly aggressive to stop it.”

Shwaluk is recommending targeted police enforcement during the problem times.

Kal Road is 50 km-h from Aberdeen Road to Howe Drive and then increases to 70 km-h to Highway 6.

“It seems like you can put whatever sign [speed] you want out here. When they come from Highway 6, they’re often doing 100 [km-h] when they go past my house. It’s just everyday and not one vehicle, it’s 25 per cent [of the traffic].”

Shwaluk estimates about 250 vehicles speed on the section daily, which he says puts other road users in danger, which he says includes horse back riders, joggers, other pedestrians and cyclists.

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