Victoria police Speed Watch volunteers say the vast majority of drivers they’ve tracked in school zones so far have not exceeded the limit.
From the start of the school year on Sept. 3 through to Thursday, 2,024 of 2,173 vehicles that went through Victoria police checks — more than 90 per cent — were within the 30 km/h limit.
Another 139 were driving from one to 10 km over the limit, and 10 were 11 to 20 kilometres over. Sir James Douglas Elementary had the most speeders with 72, along with 150 going the posted speed.
A total of 64 vehicles passing Sir James Douglas were travelling at one to 10 kilometres over the limit and eight were driving 11 to 20 kilometres over.
“We didn’t see what I would refer to as a gross violation of speed,” said Victoria police acting spokesman Bowen Osoko. The highest speed noted so far has been 51 km/h.
The initial focus was on education and having a presence, Osoko said, so most encounters resulted in a discussion with a member of the police department rather than a ticket.
That included a few drivers who gave the finger to officers, he said.
Oak Bay police said on Twitter that drivers caught speeding next to a school offer a variety of excuses.
“It’s not uncommon to hear: ‘My dad’s a lawyer.’ Not sure why people tell us their relative’s job???”
A motorist who got off with a warning on the West Shore last week for speeding in a school zone took a different approach — he issued a Facebook apology and posted a picture of his warning ticket.
“I am not proud of this,” said the man, who posted on the Colwood Community Association Facebook group. “I have no one to blame but myself. I am sorry.”
He said the West Shore RCMP officer who dealt with him told him to tell others to slow down. “So I am doing that here,” he said. “I’ll try harder and do better.”
Drivers exceeding the speed limit in school zones are subject to a $196 fine for speeds of 31 to 50 km/h, a $253 fine for speeds of 51 to 70 km/h, a $368 fine for 71 to 90 km/h and $483 for speeds over 90 km/h. Victoria officers will be out at more schools next week.
