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Drive to road conditions: RCMP

Police warn drivers they can actually be ticketed for driving the speed limit
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Sooke RCMP

Police are warning drivers they can actually be ticketed for driving the speed limit.

The caution from B.C. RCMP Traffic Services comes with the onset of short days, rain, frost and snow.

“Speed limits are maximums in ideal conditions and many drivers disregard this when the weather changes,” said Cpl. Ronda McEwen.

“The roads are often wet and slippery and visibility is poor due to fog and rain. Drivers need to make the necessary adjustments.”

If you’re in a crash and police determine you were travelling at an unsafe speed for the road conditions you could be issued a violation ticket for speed relative to conditions, she said.

That’s a $167 fine with three penalty points that can be issued even if you were within the posted speed limit.

B.C. police issued 460 tickets to drivers last fall and winter for driving too fast for the road conditions.

Motorists are also being urged to take extra precautions to watch for pedestrians, to ensure all vehicle lights and wipers are working properly, and to take time to defrost windows before heading out on the road.