To the editor,
Re: Snaw-Naw-As, Lantzville ask for lower speed limit, Dec. 19.
The old Island Highway from downtown Nanaimo to past Lantzville has speeds starting at 50 kilometres per hour to 90km/h. In places, there is little cross traffic, but always volumes of traffic particularly when the ferries dock.
The speeds over 60km/h really make no sense, especially with the number of malls and businesses along this route that now exist and continue to grow. If 50km/h is valid at the edge of the downtown area, how can we have 80km/h where the traffic is really heavy at places like Woodgrove mall?
Drivers are driving at those speeds and higher, dodging back and forth across the lanes. Does anyone think or believe that putting up signs to show your speed is going to help? Forget it –watch the traffic near our airport where there is one of these signs.
Speed kills, following too close kills, constantly changing lanes kills, especially at high speeds. Slow down and smell the roses before you are planted under the roses.
After 40 years in the general insurance business and having reviewed thousands of claim files, it’s speed, careless driving, following too close and other foolish if not stupid actions that bring death and serious injuries.
The current penalties are not stiff enough; people don’t seem to care about the dollar fines. Let’s start impounding cars and lifting licences, especially for repeaters – maybe that would hit home. One week, two weeks, a month – inconvenience really hurts.
Let’s hope 2020 might be a safer year.
READ ALSO: Lantzville expresses concerns about safety along Island Highway
OPINION: Speed limits need to be lower in north end
Manly Price, Nanaimo
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