Michael Owen puts himself in a new box, called “traffic calming,” with his suggestion in your Aug. 20 edition of the PNR to put a planted median along the freeway through Sidney.
He and Heather Brost miss that “traffic calming” devices like speed bumps and medians do not stop deliberately dangerous drivers.
Esquimalt proved that median shrubbery only serves to hide jay-crossers. Saanich proved that speed bumps are a joy for jacked-up pickup trucks who bounce far worse when they can get off road.
Saanich even tried chicanes on Cowper street, but I saw a dually truck navigate one above the speed limit without scraping a tire – a skilled driver wanting a challenge.
The only thing that works is police in their face, repeatedly, to re-educate them. The benefit of frequent police presence was shown by a dramatic reduction in accident rate on the Malahat Mountain Highway a few years ago. However, the effect will be temporary without a longer period of enforcement.
More police would provide surge capacity for major accidents, major fires and violent protesters such as at Olympic torch parades in Vancouver, Victoria and Salt Spring Island. In between, besides routine dangerous drivers, police would catch more intoxicated drivers, people with rescinded licenses and more wanted persons.
I ask voters if they will care to protect humans this fall.
Keith Sketchley
Saanich
