A new traffic safety study has found most drivers are ignoring the 30 km/h speed limit for driving near the recently-rebuilt Brydon Park playground, located at the corner of 53 Avenue and 198 Street in Langley City.
The average daytime speed in the playground zone was 55 km/h, according to the survey carried out as part of a development permit application by the builder of the Uptown Village townhouse project at 55 Avenue and 198 Street.
The numbers were disclosed during the Monday night public hearing on the proposal.
Mayor Ted Schaffer said police radar was deployed on the street around a year ago to deter heavy-footed drivers and it may be time for it to return.
"This council just put a lot of money into that playground," Schaffer said.
"Thousand and thousands of dollars."
The children's playground was rebuilt between December 2015 and February 2016, with play structures for children ages one to five, and five to 12, with swings suitable for each age range, climbing features, slides and and a push-it-yourself merry-go-round.
Brydon Park also has a paved play area for ball hockey and basketball an intermediate soccer field and a softball diamond
Residents of the area told the Times the traffic study results were no surprise.
John Wahl thinks the average speed is more like 60 km/h or more.
"It's really bad," Wahl said.
"We've been trying to get speed bumps like (the ones installed at nearby) Nicomekl Elementary school."
Wahl said some drivers appear to be using the route past the playground to avoid the traffic lights near 56 Avenue and 200 Street.
Shari Lebbé said the worst offenders seem to be delivery vans and taxis.
"I often yell at them (to) slow down," Lebbé said.
"That's way too fast, especially with the (Nicomekl) school up the street."
Ron Campbell said some speeders are regular commuters.
"There's a Subaru station wagon that goes tearing past (every day)" Campbell said.
The posted speed limit in playground zones is 30 km/h from dawn to dusk, every day of the year, not just on school days.
According to the ICBC website, drivers caught speeding in a playground zone face a fine of between $196 and $253 and the addition of three points on their driver’s licence.
A motorist who is more than 40 km/h over the limit can be fined $368 to $483 for excessive speed and receive three points.