Two new Tla’amin Nation signs have been posted on Highway 101 to remind motorists to slow down while driving through the first nations community.
A 30-kilometre per hour speed limit is in effect along the provincial highway from Tla’amin Convenience Store to near the first nation’s new government house off Klahanie Drive.
According to Tla’amin Nation lands manager Denise Smith, not enough drivers are slowing down.
“It’s dangerous,” said Smith. “Up near the soccer field kids are getting off the bus and crossing the road. There’s no signage there to tell drivers this is a soccer field and a playground area.”
One of the new signs is located just before the soccer field on the east side of the highway; the other is next to Tla’amin cemetery on the west side.
Powell River RCMP sergeant Kevin Day said he could not comment directly on the location of signs as he has not yet seen them. He added that the department supports the idea of community signs reminding drivers to slow down, particularly in areas where children are playing, as long as signs do not obstruct drivers’ views.
“Sometimes these types of reminders do slow people down and can work,” said Day. “In this case, we try to enforce that speed zone when possible, but sometimes, especially during the summer when traffic is heavier, the problem gets worse.”
Standing on the side of the road next to one of the new signs, Smith said while incidents of excessive speed have been noted, including drivers travelling at 90 or 100 kilometres per hour, the majority of drivers passing through the community are going too fast.
“You can stand here and watch traffic and know they are not doing the limit,” she said. “There are posted signs, but eight out of 10 drivers are speeding.”
Similar to neighbourhoods posting reminders for drivers to slow down, the aim of these signs is to request drivers to be respectful and reduce their speed.
“Sometimes the motoring public needs a bit of education,” said Day. “I’m all for that.”
