Donny G. hasn’t seen any of the films in the Fast and Furious franchise.
He doesn’t need to – he lives it on many nights.
The Metrotown-area resident’s condo faces Kingsway, a road that he and his neighbours say has become an “all-night drag strip” – especially during the summer.
“The rain has actually been a relief because these maniacs have been forced to stay home with all of the torrential rain,” Donny said. “What happens is that on certain nights, mostly on weekends, drivers are trying to race each other down Kingsway. They spin out their tires and take off. I’m trying to sleep here and they’re racing each other. They love to peel out. It’s like a big game. The summer is the worst because it’s so hot we need to keep our windows open so it gets even louder. Speeding is a plague. It’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous.”
The fact is, some drivers simply refuse to take any responsibility for their bad behaviour on Burnaby roads.
One other area that is bad for speeding is through school zones.
Back in Septemberr,Burnaby RCMP detailed what happened during the first few days on local roads after schools were back in session.
A whopping 92 speeders were caught roaring through school zones on just the second full day of school.
Officers issued only a handful of tickets and sent the rest of the drivers off with a warning, according to the Burnaby RCMP.
But spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj warned that police will be out enforcing school zone speed limits “on a regular basis.”
“As kids get used to their own back-to-school routines this September, we are also asking drivers to adjust their own driving habits,” he said in an email to the NOW.
He noted the 30 km/h school zone speed limit is in effect near Burnaby schools from 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. after the City of Burnaby extended the hours back in March.
You would think that these new rules would be universally praised because they work to protect the lives of children.
You would be wrong. I’ve had drivers write to me blaming the parents and the kids for how they cross city streets.
If a driver is paying attention, then they will see the school signs and slow down. It’s not some shocking surprise as they race by.
Drivers have to be more responsible. It’s as simple as that.
- With additional reporting by Cornelia Naylor
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
