By Hettie Buck
Following multiple collisions involving commercial vehicles in the first two months of 2023, local officials in the North Thompson are calling upon the provincial government to collaborate in finding ways to improve safety along the Highway 5 corridor from Kamloops to Alberta.
The stretch of highway has become a dangerous area in the Thompson-Nicola region, including two fatal crashes involving commercial transport trucks on Feb. 2 and 9.
A triple fatality just outside of Clearwater March 1 added even more urgency to the already mounting concern.
Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson told Black Press Media that there have been 14 collisions between Feb. 1 to 20 along Hwy. 5 north.
91裸聊视频淚n our most recent count, 73 per cent of our work in the last quarter was traffic related. That91裸聊视频檚 a huge increase from the previous quarter which was down around the 50-to-60-per-cent mark,91裸聊视频�
While the increase in traffic violations are not just reflective of collisions but more drivers reporting infractions, Simpson noted that many new drivers are unfamiliar with driving mountainous highways.
According to B.C.91裸聊视频檚 ministry of transportation, which oversees the CVSE, there were 27 driving infraction tickets and 54 speeding tickets issued along the highway during the long weekend of Feb. 18 to 20, totalling $13,733.
Blackpool Fire Chief Mike Savage said an increase in avalanche control and construction near Golden is also having an impact in the amount of truck traffic being seen along the Highway 5 north corridor as drivers are facing pressure to meet delivery deadlines.
91裸聊视频淭here are a lot of people taking unnecessary risks, not driving to conditions and going way too fast. It takes a toll on motorists and also on the rescue crews, as well.91裸聊视频�
Barrier Mayor Ward Stamer and Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell both would like to see an increase in safety measures, as well as enforcement with help from the province.
91裸聊视频淲e need better signage, more variable speed zones, maintained emergency detours, reflective line painting that is seen well and commercial vehicles should be equipped with dash cams,91裸聊视频� Stamer said, stressing the importance of using a higher quality 91裸聊视频榓lternative paint91裸聊视频� that is more reflective.
91裸聊视频淲e hope to work closely with the province to find solutions and implement stronger safety measures along Highway 5 because one death is one too many,91裸聊视频� Blackwell said.
In a recent interview, MLA for Kamloops - North Thompson Peter Milobar pointed to what he called a lack of provincial resources for enforcement by the CVSE or RCMP.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think it91裸聊视频檚 because the people on the ground aren91裸聊视频檛 wanting to provide the enforcement, I just think they don91裸聊视频檛 have enough resources to properly cover the areas they91裸聊视频檙e responsible for. That91裸聊视频檚 something that could happen fairly quickly if the government committed more resources towards that.91裸聊视频�
Milobar91裸聊视频檚 concerns have been addressed in recent weeks, with CVSE providing more resources to the Highway 5 corridor, Simpson confirmed.
A statement from the transportation ministry to Black Press Media stated that safety is a top priority and the recent collisions on the highway between Kamloops and Barriere are concerning. The ministry said it carefully considers any recommendations that result from RCMP investigations for how safety can be improved at a given location.
In addition, the ministry is undertaking an engineering review of Hwy. 5 to better understand safety performance and recommend any improvements.
In response to the uptick in crashes, the ministry said it has increased monitoring and auditing of the maintenance contractor91裸聊视频檚 winter maintenance operations.
Meetings with the province
On Monday, (Feb. 27), Transportation Minister Rob Flemming met with Stamer and Blackwell, as well as members of the Simpcw First Nation and Thompson Nicola Regional District.
According to Blackwell, the discussion included variable speed zones, voluntary dash cameras and Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement checkpoints as potential solutions.
91裸聊视频淚 want a commitment that RCMP Highway Patrol will continue to be based long term in Clearwater and that will be passed to B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth,91裸聊视频� he said.
A new passing lane was also discussed south of Barriere, as well as improvements to the intersection at Wells Gray Inn and Hwy. 5 and a fix to 91裸聊视频楶ig91裸聊视频檚 Corner91裸聊视频� south of Darfield.
Blackwell added that another conversation will take place with Minister Fleming and the two mayors in the coming weeks.
He stated that both mayors are in agreement about keeping B.C. Highway Patrol (BCHP) located permanently at the RCMP detachment in Clearwater and they are hoping to have a meeting with Minister Farnworth regarding highway enforcement in the near future.
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