Enforcement campaigns make streets safer

Powell River’s roads are safer due, in part, to increased enforcement, public education and volunteers.

Targeted enforcement, as well as public education, are major contributing factors in the reduced numbers of incidents, according to Constable Chris Bakker of Powell River RCMP Community Policing Unit.

As a component of the local RCMP detachment’s annual performance plan, police continue to focus on specific traffic enforcement initiatives throughout the year. Paying closer attention to impaired or distracted drivers, seat belts and drivers without insurance are only a few areas where police have put additional focus this past year.

According to Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) statistics, which are based on reported incidences, the rate of car crashes for Powell River was down slightly in 2011 with about 400 reported crashes. However the number of accidents at Powell River’s busiest intersections has increased.

“You’re seeing higher instances of crashes at these intersections,” said Bakker, “because there’s more traffic.” In 2011 there were 90 accidents reported at intersections in Powell River, up from 73 reported intersection accidents in 2010.

According to ICBC data on car accidents around the province, approximately 60 per cent of all crashes happen at intersections. In 2011 the three intersections with the highest reported incidences were Duncan Street and Joyce Avenue with eight accidents; Abbotsford and Alberni streets and Marine Avenue with six; and Alberni and Joyce, also with six.

Volunteers continue to play an important role in helping police make the streets safer. Programs like SpeedWatch help drivers pay closer attention to their driving speeds especially in park and school zones. Lock Out Auto Crime volunteers keep their eyes open for suspicious activity and remind car owners to lock their car doors and not to leave valuables in plain sight.

“It is nice to have extra people out in the community,” said Bakker. “We can’t be everywhere all at once, so working with partners in the community is really important so we can have extra eyes and ears out there.”

In 2011, there were only two cars stolen in Powell River.