The Drumheller RCMP Detachment has one more piece of equipment in its arsenal to promote safer roads and highways.
Last week the RCMP took receipt of a portable radar speed sign. This is a sign that can be placed in trouble areas where speeding is prevalent and displays to drivers how fast they are travelling as a reminder to slow down.
Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins explains the sign comes out of the detachment’s rural budget so its use would be primarily on highways surrounding the valley, however it could make it onto streets in Drumheller.
Corporal Rod Guthrie walked inSide Drumheller through a display of the new equipment.
The sign is portable and pulled like a trailer and is fully self contained. A solar panel keeps a battery pack charged to power the unit. It can be programmed with a smart phone and can be set to various speed thresholds.
It is equipped with a camera and can be set to capture images of vehicles passing. Although these images may not be used in enforcement, they could be used to send a stern reminder to drivers to ease up on the pedal. The data on the area where the speed sign is located could also be collected to determine any traffic concerns.
As soon as officers are trained on the use of the equipment, drivers can expect to see it deployed on roadways in the area.
