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What will government come up with in Safety and Speed Review?

The public open houses in the provincial government's Safety and Speed Review of B.C. Highways concluded recently in Chilliwack

The public open houses in the provincial government's Safety and Speed Review of B.C. Highways concluded recently in Chilliwack.

I attended the Nanaimo event and found that the number of government representatives was about equal to the number of people present to provide feedback.

It was clear from the reference materials posted around the perimeter of the room that the solicited feedback wanted much more than your view of the posted speed limits.

Perhaps the topic of slow-moving vehicles could be almost as important. Left-lane blockers fall into this category.

We might also wish for more slow-vehicle pullouts and legislation that is more specific about when slow drivers must make way on roads that are not multi-laned.

The majority of B.C. highways in rural areas are now signed to require winter tires or to carry tire chains during a portion of the year.

Should this be extended to all of B.C.? This topic seems to be the one that could be most influenced by public feedback.

Wildlife collisions are a significant cost to both people and animals. Although the animals suffer the worst of the death and injury rates people are killed and injured in these collisions in B.C. every year.

The solution to the problem is not to fence all of the highways, rather the installation of over and underpasses and better sharing skills for drivers are needed.

The deadline to submit feedback has passed. We'll have to see what the government comes up with.

For more information on this topic, visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Questions or comments are welcome by e-mail to comments@drivesmartbc.ca. Tim Schewe is a retired RCMP constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. His column appears Thursdays.