Long Weekend Will See Extra Police On Highways

Friday, September 03, 2010 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C. – This long weekend will see plenty of police presence on the highways throughout northern B.C.

Sergeant Pat McTiernan of North District RCMP Traffic Services says all available officers will be out on the roads “We’re going to throw everything thing we have (vehicles and staff) on the road this weekend.”

Sgt. McTiernan says this is typically a heavy weekend on the roads with people heading back from holidays, returning home from closing up their cabins, or heading into the city to get ready for the start of school.

In addition to watching for speeders, officers will be spending a bit more time making sure people are using their seatbelts. “We have an overall 95% compliance rate in the north, although in some areas it dips to as low as 85%. We have seen over and over again that seatbelts save lives because they prevent vehicle occupants from being ejected from their vehicles.”

He reminds drivers that officers will also be watching to see that people are not on their cell phones. “When the new law banning hand held cell phone use while driving came into effect, you could pull up to an intersection and not see one person on the phone. Well it isn’t uncommon now to pull up to an intersection and see at least one person on the phone.” He says that phone call could be costly as it packs a fine of $167 dollars.

He advises drivers to plan for their trips “Give yourself plenty of time, and plan your trip. There is still plenty of construction underway on the highways so allow yourself the extra time. Eat light because we all know that a heavy meal combined with the sun beating down on the windshield can make you drowsy, and be patient.”

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Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: BCRacer on September 3 2010 5:55 AM

I would love to hear on Tuesday that the police never gave out one ticket...
That would mean that drivers all did the right thing...
but in reality I expect to hear that they have written hundreds off them...
and there will be many complainers wailing about the fact that those darn police gave them a ticket...
my reponse to them...
tuff crap princess! learn to drive and it won't happen...lol
to the rest of you ...have a great long weekend

Posted by: lmorge on September 3 2010 8:06 AM

The ticket part is a given, BCracer. What I dread is the knock on the door of a loved one after a motor vehicle accident that never needed to happen. But it always seems to be the case somewhere in BC during long weekends.

Posted by: BCRacer on September 3 2010 8:41 AM

I agree totally Imorge....

Posted by: JamesToney on September 3 2010 10:22 AM

ICBC is a big huge joke along with the RCMP traffick division.

Posted by: Slim2229 on September 3 2010 10:25 AM

Imorge and BC Racer;
The knock on the door is the worst shock a person can get and it is relived forever, same as the hole it leaves in your heart.
Please folks, slow down, take your time, I don't want anyone else to suffer!
When you're driving, concentrate. It's something you have to will yourself to do even when the kids are saying "are we there yet?" Go out safe, come home safe.
Hope everyone has a very happy weekend.
And if you get a ticket, maybe its something about your driving skills that you might want to brush up on.

Posted by: BCRacer on September 3 2010 11:05 AM

well said Slim

Posted by: interceptor on September 3 2010 3:58 PM

Well I just saw a police car sitting in the construction zone by Stone Creek this afternoon. Thats the first time Ive seen one there - good on ya guys, alot of people speed through the construction zones.

Posted by: BCRacer on September 3 2010 4:38 PM

construction zones cost you double too... I love it!!!

Posted by: acrider54 on September 3 2010 4:39 PM

But they will not be pulling over and ticketing drivers who like to drive 10 to 20k under the limit holding traffic up for miles.

Posted by: zippy on September 3 2010 5:08 PM

They wait for the easy pickings,on a passing lane where the "safe" driver who was doing 10 clicks under the speed limit feels more comfortable doing 110 until he gets back to 2 lane.If you want to get around him here this is were you will encounter the radar trap.Speed in itself is not unsafe under the right conditions but it is black and white for court and as I said ,easy pickings.There are several other driving practices much more dangerous than speeding but too costly to enforce

Posted by: supertech on September 4 2010 9:48 PM

well said zippy. When I was 20, the speed limit was 65 MPH through Jasper / Banff. The cars had lousey brakes, poor steering, poor defrosts, lousy bias ply tires. Now we have great cars with high tech everything and the speed limit is 90 kliks in the same area. Double fines in the park, double again for constuction. Only 800 bucks for speeding in a constuction zone in Jasper park.
My point: The new cars can drive very safely at 65 MPH through the parks or on most any highways. So why not tell it like it really is: The government needs cash--the end.

Posted by: supertech on September 4 2010 9:50 PM

I was on the road today--terrible weather and hardly any cars at all. The cops are gonna be a bit disappointed methinks, but they will be grouchy if they are out in the hail.

Posted by: verballabel on September 5 2010 10:15 PM

Drove home today from Vancouver and saw the most RCMP on the highway ever!.. Only one car pulled over, and at near Quesnel there were four cop cars parked on the side of the highway and the officers were just standing talking to each other.