Mounties have a new tool to monitor people’s driving habits in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
The Black Cat radar system has been deployed around the two cities and is capable of collecting data on vehicle size, speed and lane position.
But the automated mobile unit is not used for issuing tickets.
Its deployment is aimed at helping traffic officers identify areas requiring additional enforcement, said Staff Sgt. Mark McCutcheon.
“We got the Black Cat in early March and we’ve been using it in specific locations where we’re getting complaints from the public,” he said. “When we evaluate the data it collects, we can make well-informed decisions about where our enforcement teams can be most effective.”
The system is so useful that Coquitlam RCMP recently ordered a second unit. Police said that residents that have issues with speeders in their neighbourhood can call police at their non-emergency number (604-945-1550) to enquire about the Black Cat radar.
“Since our traffic officers can’t be everywhere, there’s a good chance we’ll use the Black Cat in your area,” McCutcheon said. “It’s a good reminder for everyone to slow down, be realistic about travel times to reduce your risk of crashing and arrive your destination safely.”
Mounties are also stepping up their enforcement efforts as part of High Risk Driving Month and said Speed Watch volunteers will be working throughout May to encourage drivers to slow down.
According to ICBC, there were 330,000 crashes in B.C. in 2016, or roughly 900 per day, with the costs of claims growing close to $3 billion per year. On average, 43 people are killed each year in the Lower Mainland from crashes involving high-risk driving behaviours.
“We’re at a point today where the number of crashes across our province and the number of claims we’re receiving are growing by the thousands every year,” said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s acting vice-president for road safety, in a press release. “We can all do our part by slowing down to make roads safer and save lives.”
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