On racetracks, a pace car is supposed to limit the speed on the course as a precaution to other cars.
West Shore RCMP and Langford Fire spent Monday trying to sign up ordinary citizens as “pace car drivers.”
The hope is that if these drivers stick to the speed limit, it will have an effect on reducing other people’s speed, especially around school zones and pedestrian-heavy areas.
Mounties and firefighters gave out the Pace Car stickers at Happy Valley Elementary School and tried to raise awareness among parents.
“Happy Valley school is on what I would call a racetrack,” said Kerry Zado, Langford deputy chief, adding that Happy Valley Road has long been problematic for speeding.
West Shore RCMP spokeswoman Const. Kathy Rochlitz said there haven’t been any major speed-related crashes in school zones in recent years, but it’s still important to reinforce the importance of driving safely.
A pedestrian struck by a car travelling 50 kilometres an hour is eight times more likely to be killed than one hit by a car travelling at 30 km/h, according to statistics from Toronto-based Parachute.
Langford was one of 10 communities across Canada that received a $1,500 grant from Parachute, a national injury-prevention charity.
Richmond and Vernon are the two other B.C. communities participating in the program.
Drivers can sign up for the Pace Car program at the West Shore RCMP detachment.
