Drivers navigating a rough gravel road in Ahousaht were in for a shock on the morning of June 5; the community’s first-ever speed trap was set up right in front of the high school.
“At first you could see there was shock, and drivers hit their brakes when they first saw the speed board, not sure what to do,” said Constable Jeanne Vestergaard of the Ahousaht RCMP detachment.
But the speed board was about raising awareness in the community about the dangers of speeding in a school zone. According to Vestergaard, there have been concerns raised in the past about drivers going too fast around the school, especially when the children are being let out from classes.
The June 5 speed awareness campaign was organized by Maaqtusiis School’s Grade 10 class, led by teacher Jerry Perry. Vestergaard said she was able to borrow an ICBC speed board from the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.
While Vestergaard did not know exactly how many cars travel Ahousaht roads on a daily basis, she said the population in the village is about 1,000 and pretty much every house has a vehicle. Ahousaht is located on Flores Island, a 40-minute boat ride from Tofino, accessible only by air or water.
This event was only about raising awareness of speed around the school. Vestergaard said they were not checking for licenses, insurance or seat belts.
“Those things fall under the Motor Vehicle Act, which does not apply on reserve,” she said.
The Ahousaht RCMP hopes to carry out a similar event with the Maaqtusiis elementary school children before the school year ends.
