To nobody’s surprise, the provincial B.C. Liberal government has raised speed limits on various highways across B.C.
How it was announced on July 2 was a bit of surprise as many media outlets did not received news of Transportation Minister Todd Stone’s announcement in Kamloops.
This was because of the federal government’s new anti-spam legislation, which prevented many media outlets from receiving the heads-up via email.
That hiccup will be overcome, but whether the new speeds are a good idea depends on whose opinion is being thrust forward.
Drivers who see the Coquihalla Highway as being perfectly safe for travel at 120 km/h will applaud that new speed limit (though many drivers were already travelling that fast; hence the speed limit change).
Others, however — and this includes the RCMP, ICBC and the B.C. Truckers’ Association — either oppose the new speeds or have concerns they will lead to more carnage.
Ministry statistics show the number of serious crashes on provincial highways has decreased 28 per cent since 2003 from a combination of improved vehicle technology, driver education and enforcement.
Nevertheless, ICBC will monitor the highways with new speed limits — the Coquihalla from Kamloops to Hope is one such 120 km/h zone — to determine if the higher speeds lead to more accidents.
If much of the traffic is already cruising along at those speeds, the numbers shouldn’t change.
— Kamloops This Week
