Volunteers in the Tri-Cities Speed Watch program work closely with the Coquitlam Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) traffic services section to make a real impact on road safety. Speed Watch supports the Coquitlam RCMP’s road safety goals by collecting real-time data about speeding, boosting police visibility on local roads, and raising drivers’ awareness of their speed and the posted speed limits in local collision hot spots.
Speed Watch volunteers are trained and equipped to use radar equipment and speed reader boards to support the Coquitlam RCMP’s hugely successful, intelligence-led approach to road safety. The Speed Watch program improves road safety in three main ways:
- Raising drivers’ awareness about their real travel speed. Volunteers report that most drivers travelling more than 10 kilometers per hour above the posted speed limit will immediately slow down when they see their speed displayed on the reader board.
- Providing data on the reality of speeding in high complaint areas. The data that volunteers collect with the radar equipment helps Coquitlam RCMP’s traffic section determine where to focus speed-related enforcement and education campaigns to have the most impact.
- Boosting police visibility in collision hot spots and high complaint areas. It isn’t always possible to send sworn police officers to investigate speeding complaints but thanks to our volunteers, it is possible to show citizens that the police are listening and acting on their concerns.
Please note: Applicants under 19 years old must fill out and submit RCMP form 5272 with their application. Application forms are not currently available online. Request forms by email.
Qualifications Required
Interested in joining Tri-Cities Speed Watch? You must be:
- At least 16 years old
- Willing and able to pass RCMP security screening and suitability interview