The Delta Police Department (DPD) is once again reminding drivers to slow down.
On Facebook, the DPD posted another reminder that officers would be out focusing on speeders and reckless drivers this long weekend, highlighting a couple of more recent examples of drivers who allegedly ignored the rules of the road and safety. Those drivers lost their vehicles and face a hit to their wallets.
One example was a motorcyclist this weekend on the 6700-block of Highway 17 clocked at an "alarming" 145 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. With a Class 6 licence restricted to a maximum speed of 60 km/h with a qualified supervisor, that driver was significantly over the limit. The vehicle was impounded and the driver faced a $368 fine plus additional costs.
The other example was during a proactive enforcement along Nordel Way, where a driver was caught speeding at 113 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. After passing a marked police truck, they were ticketed $368 and had their vehicle impounded for seven days.
The DPD recently announced that it has begun prioritizing road safety in its public messaging, as part of ongoing communications that promote various ways community safety can be improved.
Dangerous driving involving excessive speed, alcohol and/or drug impairment, or a combination of both is the reason for many of the phone calls, emails and social-media comments the DPD receives from the public, according to police.
The DPD noted drivers who are caught operating a vehicle at an excessive speed stand to suffer significant financial consequences as well.
The B.C. government last week announced that, effective Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, drivers engaging in reckless driving behaviour such as impaired driving, excessive speeding, street racing or driving without a licence will face significantly higher fees for the towing and storage of their impounded vehicles.
The province noted that by adding harsher financial penalties, it aims to deter reckless behaviours and encourage drivers to think twice before engaging in dangerous activities that put lives at risk.
