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Speed Watch Campaign Launched for Tyner and University Way

By 250 News

Monday, November 09, 2009 10:16 AM

 Prince George, B.C.-   Keep your eyes open and your foot off the gas pedal if you are driving along University Way or Tyner Boulevard in Prince George.
 
 A group of concerned Prince George citizens has decided to try something new to get drivers to slow down and watch for wildlife on the roads near UNBC. A volunteer-manned Speed Watch Board will be in operation at various locations along University Boulevard and Tyner Way over the next few weeks. This board displays the posted speed and the speed of a vehicle as it approaches the sign. The concerned group hopes drivers will respond by adhering to posted speed limits along University Way and Tyner Blvd.
 
This action was prompted by the deaths of three moose during a one week period in mid-October along University Way and Tyner. Roy Rea, a moose researcher from UNBC says, “between 5-10 moose are killed on this stretch each year, and with each moose collision, the risk of significant human injury or death increases.” One Prince George area resident has already been killed in a collision with a moose that occurred east of the city along Highway 16.
 Many volunteers and organizations are involved in getting this initiative on the road. Rotarian Harold Hartshorne and his team of volunteers, Kathi Travers, Speed Watch Program volunteers, Prince George Community Policing, ICBC, UNBC, the Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, and the RCMP have all cooperated to make this initiative work.
 
A collision with wildlife can happen at any place and at any time, but on the roads around Prince George, November, December and January are the highest risk months. The critical time to watch for moose on the roads is between 4:00 and 8:00 pm. If you see an animal on or near the road, slow down immediately, and to alert other drivers, drive with your flashing lights on for about 500 metres.
Some tips for avoiding WCPP “Hints for the Highway” while driving this winter are:
 Ø Slow Down and Obey all Posted Signs – collision avoidance and driver response time are improved at lower speeds.
 Ø Drive Defensively – actively watch for wildlife in the ditch, on the road shoulder, and in the right of way, particularly between 4:00 and 8:00 pm.
 Ø Be Alert – animals are unpredictable, travel in groups or cow/calf pairs, and may bolt unexpectedly.
 Ø Use Your Vehicle – clean your headlights, use your high beams when safe, and wear your seatbelt.

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Comments

The police need to start setting up radar allot more often then they so down these roads and foothills included. I asked the city over 2 years ago, to look into putting up poles that reflect at night . I got the standard answer that they would look into it. Maybe ICBC can contribute to this, considering how much is lost in revenue by animal collisions.
since they cleared the brush on the east side of the road for the watermain extension, visibility is much improved with regards to spotting animals.why don't they hire a few unemployed people to cut the brush back a few metres on the west side to improve visibility on that side to.
Very good idea polar7018. That would probably be well worthwhile given the high number of animals that are on that stretch of road.
nice symbol Ø Ø Ø Ø
can you say losers!!!!! seriously speed watch campaign maybe get a job
maybe take it easy on them corruption, afterall, the people doing this are VOLUNTEERS, that means not being paid, so if you aren't one of those speeders you shouldn't have a problem with the program.
But...
if you do ...
call the Community Policing Office and complain away.
Wow BCRacer I am impressed that you are a supporter.
This is a very good initive and
perhaps it will save some lives.
There are two side to the racer.....if I think it good I support it, if I think it bad, well, I upset people...lol..unfortunately I can be very opinionated, but most of my posts are based on fact or prior happenings.. and I know that someof the thinkgs I would like to see changed never will be, but I can state my opinion.
This like other programs out there are only as good as we the public allow them to be, either helping them along or not..
No no no I am opinionated you are Racer :)

Inquiring minds want to know are you really a racer?
Put a cop on every corner and put cameras all over the place too. That will teach them.
How about we get police out patrolling again. I rarely see anyone pulled over on Ospika where the speed limit is 50 km/hour yet people average about 70. PG has some of the worst drivers in BC.
The idea of reflective poles is an excellent idea. I often wonder why the government cheeps out on it so much?

I drive at night a lot and the reflective poles do give you an idea of animals on the road, because you can distinguish everything better with that little bit of extra reflection.... I fully support that along University Way and I would also suggest they use them where ever they have meridians along the highway... eg the new Isle Pierre overhead crossing has curbs that stick out right onto the highway and the first person to clip that is dead IMO. It should be marked much better and preferably with reflective poles.

Time Will Tell
Or maybe the city could just put LIGHTS on the damn road. They put them on the hill side up to UNBC because its visible from downtown. So why did they just leave the backside with NO LIGHTS!
Lights is not going to stop people from speeding. Come on Maverick you have to take some responsibility. It's called obey the speed limit and use your head under certain conditions.
"It's called obey the speed limit and use your head under certain conditions"

What a bizzare concept :)
Reflective poles????

Reflective ANTLERS!!!!!
High vis nose halters!!!