Concerned that speeders may claim a life, Duane Mather embraced the power of the press.
The Vernon resident paid for three advertisements in The Morning Star to provide information on motorists putting the metal to the pedal, and particularly the difference between 30 and 50 kilometres an hour.
“If it gets one person to slow down, it’s worth the money,” said Mather.
Mather decided to take action after ongoing incidents along Predator Ridge Drive.
“My wife and I walk the same path twice a day and sometimes we see the same vehicles. Sometimes we’re yelling at people to slow down,” he said.
“My wife and I have had near misses in the crosswalk.”
The speed limit on Predator Ridge Drive is 30 kilometres an hour and there is a speed-activated sign that notifies motorists of their speed.
Mather has nothing but praise for Predator Ridge Resort management when it comes to trying to slow vehicles down.
“They have been co-operative and have tried to work with the city,” he said.
However, trying to convince the City of Vernon to proceed with traffic calming measures has proven to be challenging.
Among his suggestions has been rumble strips, and the retired oil and gas president has even offered to donate $10,000 for flashing crosswalk signs.
“I’m trying to keep the city on side and I want to work with everyone positively,” he said.
Mayor Akbal Mund recently went for a walk of the area with Mather.
“When I was there, nobody was doing 30 kilometres an hour,” said Mund. “I understand his concerns. Safety is always number one.”
However, Mund says that before the city takes possible action, it has to consider a number of factors, including the scope of the issue, what is the best way to slow speeders down and the financial implications.
“Before we decide anything, we would also need to talk to Predator Ridge,” he said.
Mund says the city would also need input from the overall Predator community to see what the concerns are about road safety and whether solutions like rumble strips would generate noise.
“There are a lot of issues to be considered.”
