Delta police and its community partners at ICBC are reminding drivers to watch their speed.
Even though it seems safer with fewer cars on the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it isn't. ICBC is asking that all drivers do their part to prevent crashes, keep people safe, and avoid putting additional pressure on B.C.'s first responders and medical resources.
According to ICBC every year, 82 people are killed in speed-related crashes, making speed the number one cause of car crash fatalities in B.C.
Police have observed an increase in drivers speeding since B.C. declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why ICBC, the B.C. government and police have launched a month-long campaign focusing on speed and urging drivers to slow down.
“While everyday life has recently changed for many in B.C., nothing has changed when it comes to road safety,” said Neil Dubord, Delta’s police Chief and chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Speed, distracted driving and impaired driving are just a few of the high-risk driving behaviours that put everyone at risk. With the use of intersection safety cameras and dedicated police agencies throughout the province, drivers are sure to be caught and held accountable when they make the choice to disregard the rules of the road.”
During Delta’s eighth virtual town on Thursday morning, Dubord said traffic enforcement is continuing during the pandemic and will be stepped up throughout the community in the coming weeks.
“We will be increasing our presence on the roadways in the coming weeks,” he said. “As we work towards June our traffic section will be coming back to full strength. We pulled a number of those members to become part of our operational support team, who then supported all the different health requirements that we needed to look into. Those officers will be returning to the traffic section, so certainly you can count on seeing some laser speed enforcement on Highway 17 and other roadways in Delta.
“People are coming back to our roads as well. I have noticed an increase in traffic this week, so it’s time for us to get busy again and ensure that those roads are safely guided.”
