Deputies Also Concerned About Safety

Thu., May 16, 1996

Bruce Krasnow Staff writer

Sheriff’s deputies patrolling for speeders along Country Homes Boulevard have their own concerns about safety.

Because cars merge into a single lane, deputies often have a hard time safely pulling over a single speeder.

“I have to wait for the whole group to pass or I’m adding to the danger,” said Cpl. Jim Speaks. “It’s a tough road to work.”

Other drivers who are inclined to go fast also can get stuck behind a slower driver. That cuts the potential number of violations.

Patrolling the split roadway also requires two deputies - one in each lane. That increases visibility and causes drivers to slow down before being ticketed.

Still, emphasis patrols along Country Homes has resulted in 30 citations and 10 verbal warnings since March 10, said Speaks. A total of 42 stops were made, including two truckers. Trucks are not allowed on Country Homes Boulevard except for local deliveries.

Aside from speeding, three drivers were cited for not having insurance, one for a suspended license and another for possession of a controlled substance.

Cpl. Speaks understands that residents complain about drivers passing in the striped parking or bike lanes. He has yet to see that and no violations have been issued.

“They say they see it and I do not doubt it,” he said. “I live not that far away from Country Homes and I drive it all the time. I have not seen it.”

Speaks said he asked county engineers to trim shrubs and bushes that line the median strip between Wall and Division. That would make the road safer.

Residents are being asked to report illegal trucks to his department and deputies plan to continue their patrols, he said.

, DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.