It's a start in the right direction - a direction that will hopefully lead to safety improvements on Highway 101.
More than 30 concerned area citizens showed up to a Route 101 safety meeting Monday night in Davis Bay. From that group, 15 members have been chosen to form a society with seven meeting this week as a steering committee to further expand on the society's plans. More than $280 was also collected in donations and membership fees.
The idea of the society came to life after a tragic accident on the highway involving a Gibsons youth in January. But the idea was bubbling on the surface long before that in response to several other high-profile fatal accidents on the highway in the past eight months.
A rally was held in January, and last month, the Gibsons Legion was packed to the rafters for another public meeting, this time featuring a panel of government officials and police.
It's clear the provincial government has other highway projects at the top of their agenda, namely the Sea to Sky Highway. But Highway 101 is another roadway in serious need of upgrades. More crosswalks, lower speed limits in areas, a proper cycling network are all things this highway society wants to see come to fruition.
The growing concern with Highway 101 is increasing and the work this society is doing and plans to do is appreciated and encouraging.
We applaud their efforts and the efforts of those who came out on Monday to lend their support. But the work is far from over. We need more people from every community up and down the Coast to get involved with this society. When more meetings are announced, get out there and lend your voice to the cause.
Ferry security welcomedB.C. Ferries will be beefing up security measures in the coming months and it's a move we welcome.
New Transport Canada regulations are expected this fall and then we'll get a better picture of what is expected by B.C. Ferries. In the meantime, things like more fencing, more lighting, cameras and personnel ID badges will be visible security measures implemented by the corporation. There may also be random vehicle and baggage screening. While that may be a slight inconvenience, isn't it better than the alternative - someone coming onto a ferry with a bomb or doing something that could put passenger safety at risk?
Safety at our airports, subways and ferry terminals is a must and anything B.C. Ferries can do to improve safety is a good thing.
