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Living as he does on Enderby-Grindrod Road, Denis Delisle, newly elected director of the North Okanagan Regional District, often hears the sirens of ambulances and first responders on Highway 97 A.
Delisle welcomed Tuesday's announcement that the maximum speed of 97A between Grindrod and Sicamous will be reduced from 90 km / h to 80 km / h. The causeway is one of 15 sections of BC highways – the only one in the North Okanagan – to have lowered speed limits to ensure the safety of people and reduce the risks of related conditions at speed.
"It's a very good idea," said Delisle, who said he often hears sirens, but especially in the summer. "There are a lot of accidents on this stretch. Speed is definitely a factor. It is a narrow road in places, very crowded. "
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reviewed three-year data on 33 segments and 1,300 kilometers of highways, where speed limits were increased as part of the 2014 Safety and Security Review. speed in rural areas.
As a result, speed limits on 15 sections of highway, totaling 570 kilometers, will be lowered by 10 km / h. With the two corridors that were lowered in 2016, this represents 660 kilometers of BC highways where speed limits are restored. The remaining routes did not have higher accident rates and the speed limits will remain the same, including in Coquihalla where variable speed limits are in effect.
"It's good to have a reduction in speed, but the application needs to be followed," said Delisle. "There must be policemen on this road."
Said heading. Mike Halskov, Media Relations Officer for BC RCMP Traffic Services: "We will continue to do what we have always done, applying posted speed limits no matter what. ;they are. So nothing really changes for the officers on the roads. I urge motorists to respect the speed limit, no matter their destination. With regard to collisions, low speeds reduce the risk of being seriously injured or killed. "
Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health official, said speed was one of the top three factors contributing to car accidents, particularly in rural and remote British Columbia.
"Research has shown that reducing speed reduces the number of accidents and the severity of injuries, so I'm very supportive of the announced speed limit reductions," said Henry. "I look forward to the security measures that will be implemented in British Columbia. and will continue to work with the Highway Safety Steering Committee to advocate for initiatives that will help keep all BC road users safe and healthy. "
Ministry staff reviewed all contributing factors in serious collisions on a highway. This includes speed, distracted driving, wildlife, changing weather conditions and people driving too fast for difficult conditions.
"The BC Trucking Association is very supportive of the government's decision to reduce speed limits on certain segments of the road," said Dave Earle, president and chief executive officer of the badociation. "The stopping distance of heavy commercial vehicles is increasing at a high speed, as is the force of impact. Therefore, the safety measures to reduce these risks for both commercial vehicle drivers and pbadengers are important. In addition to safety, low speeds mean greater energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, a welcome side effect to note.
Based on the recently completed review of three-year data, speed limits are being lowered by 10 km / h on the following 15 road corridors that have experienced an increase in the number of collisions:
* Highway 1: Cowichan Bay to Nanaimo – 90 km / h to 80 km / h;
* Highway 1: Whatcom Road to Hope – 110 km / h at 100 km / h;
* Highway 1: Boston Bar to Jackbad Mountain – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Motorway 1: Tobiano to Savona – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Highway 1: Chase to Sorrento – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Highway 3: Sunday Summit at Princeton – 90 km / h at 80 km / h;
* Highway 7: Agbadiz to Hope – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Highway 19: Parksville to Campbell River – 120 km / h to 110 km / h;
* Highway 19: from Bloedel to Sayward – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Highway 97A: Grindrod to Sicamous – 90 km / h to 80 km / h;
* Highway 97C: Merritt to Aspen Grove – 110 km / h to 100 km / h;
* Highway 97C: Aspen Grove to Peachland – 120 km / h to 110 km / h;
* Highway 99: Horseshoe Bay to Squamish – 90 km / h to 80 km / h;
* Highway 99: Squamish to Whistler – 100 km / h to 90 km / h;
* Highway 99: Whistler to Pemberton – 90 km / h to 80 km / h;
The following 16 corridors have shown no reduction in safety and the speed limits will remain the same:
* Highway 1: Salmon Arm to Revelstoke – 100 km / h;
* Highway 1: Revelstoke to Golden – 100 km / h;
* Highway 3: Hope to Coquihalla – 110 km / h;
* Highway 3: Sunshine Valley to the east end of Manning Park – 100 km / h;
* Highway 5: Hope in Kamloops – 120 km / h;
* Highway 5: Heffley to Little Fort – 100 km / h;
* Highway 6: New Denver to Hills – 90 km / h;
* Highway 6: Summit Lake to Nakusp – 100 km / h;
* Highway 19: from Campbell River to Bloedel – 90 km / h;
* Highway 19: Port McNeill to Port Hardy – 100 km / h;
* Highway 33: McCulloch Road to Black Mountain – 100 km / h;
* Highway 33: Rock Creek to Westbridge – 100 km / h;
* Highway 97: Cache Creek at 100 Mile House – 110 km / h;
* Highway 97: Swan Lake to Monte Creek – 90 km / h;
* Highway 97A: Armstrong to Enderby – 100 km / h;
* Highway 99: from Lillooet to Cache Creek – 100 km / h.
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