New traffic calming measures have been installed in West Kelowna with the hope of reducing the number of collisions at two busy intersections.
Speed display signs have been installed on Glenrosa Road southbound, north of Webber Road, and on Old Okanagan Highway southbound, north of Quince Road.
Mayor Doug Findlater said West Kelowna council is pleased to see traffic calming measures put to use throughout the municipality.
“Curb extensions were placed on Vineyard Drive in the fall to slow motorists who were using the local street as a shortcut over Mount Boucherie, and this winter the installation of speed reader boards serves as another strong indication of council’s ongoing commitment to improve traffic safety in West Kelowna,” said Findlater.
Findlater said ICBC matched funds toward the purchase of the speed reader boards, which are valued at more than $14,000.
ICBC director of road safety, John Dickinson, said the insurance corporation was pleased to invest in new speed reader boards in West Kelowna.
“Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and when combined with the poor weather conditions at this time of year, dramatically increases your risk of crashing,” said Dickinson.
Last year, West Kelowna council asked municipal staff to purchase the speed reader boards and work with ICBC to identify appropriate locations for the signage.
The intersections of Glenrosa and Webber Roads and Old Okanagan Highway and Butt Roads were identified as the highest collision intersections within the district’s boundary.
Speed display boards were mounted on street lamps at the approaches to these intersections earlier this winter.
The reader boards collect data to measure their ongoing effectiveness. As a means to further enforcing the speed limit, West Kelowna may consider asking RCMP to set up radar down from the speed reader boards.
