The past few weeks have been terrible on Hwy. 101. We've seen a horrible fatal accident in Gibsons, a serious motorcycle crash in Roberts Creek and another bad accident involving a commercial truck and B.C. Ambulance paramedics.
Police are still investigating these accidents and have said speed and seat belts (or the lack thereof) have been factors.
In the letter's section in today's edition, there are two pleas from the public - one from a resident, Angel Hlatky, who lives close to the site of the fatal crash, and one from Gibsons' mayor Barry Janyk about the consequences of not buckling up.
Hlatky is pleading for tougher speed enforcement along this stretch of road - better signs, maybe flashing lights - anything to warn people to slow down.
Mayor Janyk also chimes in on his inadvertent gaff at not putting on his seat belt. Janyk was pulled over by police and fined for his lack of proper judgment. He too, sends out the message to remember to buckle up and for the need to travel safely on our highways.
Both messages are compelling and hit the nail right on the head.
While we agree with Hlatky that more signs and lights would be great, the onus should be on drivers to slow down and buckle up. It's all common sense - at least we think so.
This past week, while heading to a meeting in Gibsons, we were tailgated by an aggressive driver who honked his horn and flashed his lights in an effort to speed us up. This driver was obviously in a hurry and when we got closer to Roberts Creek and a safe area to pass, the driver blasted right by, flipping us the bird in the process. This type of behaviour is all too common, and it's not right.
Summer is right around the corner, and traffic on our highway is increasing. These recent accidents are a painful reminder to us all that we need to take better care on our roads.
