May Long is a memory and, at least in the minds of prairie folk, summer has begun. It isn’t exactly bikini weather yet, but the attractions of Jackfish and Murray lakes have already ramped up the traffic flow on Highway 4 North.
Anyone who has travelled that route has witnessed the risks some drivers take in order to get to the lake as fast as possible. Those actions include excessive speed, passing when it is unsafe to do so, tailgating and just plain impatient behavour.
Relax folks, it’s a 20-minute drive and even if you are going beyond the Battlefords Provincial Park gates you aren’t going to be shaving much time off your travel time between the Battlefords and the park. You can make up for lost time once the traffic thins out beyond the park.
Another good reason to slow down and mind your manners is the fact the RCMP are going to be watching — carefully, diligently — all summer long.
Battlefords RCMP say enforcement for erratic driving and speeding on Highway 4 north of the Battlefords has been identified as a priority. They are partnering with the Provincial Traffic Safety Unit to step up enforcement and education. They did exactly that over the long weekend, bringing aerial enforcement into the mix. And they weren’t shy about letting the public know their plans, issuing a press release a day before the enforcement blitz began.
In spite of their visibility some didn’t get the message. Battlefords RCMP Insp. John Sutherland told city council Tuesday at least 30 drivers were stopped for driving in excess of 130 km/h. Not smart driving folks. If you want enough cash for a round of golf, better pay attention to the speedometer.
