Transport trucks barreling through red lights in Salmon Arm might not happen as often as you think.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce conducted a traffic study in response to repeated concerns from chamber members about red light infractions and excessive speed through town.
The study, which chamber manager Corryn Grayston presented to city council Monday, looked at the highway corridor between Shuswap and Sixth streets from June 2 through 8, 2 to 6 p.m.
Speeding took place much more frequently than drivers running stop lights. Of the total of 21,312 vehicles counted, nine per cent were commercial and 91 per cent passenger. Overall, 14.7 per cent of commercial trucks were speeding and 8.1 per cent of passenger vehicles.
Statistics for red and yellow light infractions were the same: 1.1 per cent of all commercial vehicles ran a red light and one per cent of passenger vehicles.
“We found it quite an interesting statistic,” Grayston said, noting the numbers don’t support statements about every big truck running red lights.
Recommendations from the chamber in response to the study include encouraging the city to request the transportation ministry install overhead digital reader boards at the west and east ends of town in concert with four-laning, alerting motorists they’re entering a densely populated business area with multiple lights and foot traffic. A speed reader sign attached to the structure was also recommended.
