Richmond - The Editor, Re: "More traffic action needed," Letters, Dec. 4. Was excessive speed a factor in these accidents? How will slowing traffic down on Steveston Highway prevent them? That is very casual assumption or correlation to make.
Richmond - The Editor, Re: "More traffic action needed," Letters, Dec. 4. Was excessive speed a factor in these accidents? How will slowing traffic down on Steveston Highway prevent them? That is very casual assumption or correlation to make. If everyone is driving 70 kilometres per hour on Steveston Highway, then maybe this is likely the norm.If you are driving at 50 kilometres per hour, then you're actually creating a circumstance where drivers will anxiously try to get around you, and create a more dangerous situation, compared to if you drove at the natural speed on that road.Most likely, you're doggedly sitting in the left lane, smug in the idea you're a safe driver. You're actually creating a circumstance where other drivers, frustrated with your behaviour, are more likely to engage in risky behaviour.The argument could be made that speeds on these roads should reflect the actual speedas a percentile of what 80 per cent of drivers judge to be safe. There are numerous studies from the U.S., and Europe on road fatalities and accidents that prove this.People that either drive at, or below, the set speed limit and drivers that greatly exceed it, are statistically involved in more accidents. This is compared to drivers in the 70-80 percentile.Not withstanding other factors, like DUI or texting.This is not to say speeds should be raised everywhere. No. 3 Road, from Granville to Cambie, could actually have its speed lowered.Most people are reasonable, and will travel at what are reasonable speeds for given circumstances. Increased driver training would be a benefit here.Speed blitzes do nothing for safety. They are just cash cows, and an excuse for ICBC to ding you again.David TaylorRichmond
