To the editor:
Like most drivers that obey the provincial traffic regulations I am not too impressed with those drivers that do not heed the traffic laws. On a daily basis I can count between six to 10 traffic offences committed by other drivers.
These poor driving habits not only happen in West Kelowna but throughout the Okanagan Valley. The driving offences range as follows:
1) failing to signal
2) following too closely
3) speeding
4) failing to obey traffic control device
5) failing to stop for posted stop sign
6) failing to stop for pedestrian at marked crosswalk
7) racing
8) dangerous driving.
Just recently, on the 19th of June after fuelling my vehicle at the gas station at Elliot & Hwy 97 in West Kelowna. I had been trying to exit for about 45 seconds when a gold colour van made a left turn from Elliot onto Hwy 97. The van headed straight for the gas station exit rather than use the legal entrance.
The female driver of the van made the usual rude hand and facial gestures and kept inching her vehicle towards the front bumper of my show car.
Rather than engage in an argument or further tirade I backed up and let the van through.
Apparently the gas station manager is awaiting advice from their corporate office on how to handle illegal entry. Seems pretty straight forward to me, install signage.
On Wednesday, 27 June, 2016 I was heading southeast on Lower Glenrosa Road in my vehicle, approaching the four-way stop sign at Paynter Road and Delray Road. About a half block before I reached the stop sign intersection I could see a jeep-type vehicle driving along Paynter Road at high speed.
I said to myself that this jeep vehicle is not going to stop and sure enough it ran right through the four-way stop sign intersection without any attempt to slow down. The vehicle then continued on its speedy way up Lower Glenrosa Road which is posted at 50 km/h.
According to the RCMP they do not have enough manpower for a dedicated enforcement unit. Hence they rely on employing RCMP reserve constables a few days a week for sporadic enforcement.
In a recent televised ad campaign (this past spring) the B.C. government and ICBC stated that through the police services they will be tightening up on traffic offences in the interest of safety. When?
Ray Spencer, West Kelowna
