Prince  George, B.C.- UNBC is working with North District RCMP in a research project on hitch hiking.

 

Researchers from two UNBC programs will be collaborating and sharing data with the RCMP in an effort to better understand the reasons people hitchhike and the risks associated with that practice.

 

The study will focus on Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, and Highway 97 from Prince George to 100 Mile House. 

 

North District RCMP Staff Sergeant Gord Flewelling  says  North District called on UNBC to conduct this research for a number of reasons. First of all ,North District RCMP are involved in the investigation of murdered and missing women along Highway 16,  which is often  referred to as the Highway of Tears, that investigation is called “E-Pana”. Staff Sergeant Flewelling  says families of the victims have pointed the finger at hitchhiking as a key factor in the murders and disappearances. He says there have been some who refer to “hitchhiking season” but Police really don’t have the data to say how prevalent hitch hiking really is, when it is most likely to happen, or who is most likely to try and hitch a ride. “The study will provide us with a great deal of insight at the end of the period and we will be able to develop strategies working with our communities and partners.”

 

The same GPS technology that was used to identify high vehicle/wildlife collision areas on northern highways, will be used to pin point the areas where people are spotted trying to hitch a ride. The technology allows drivers ( in this case, transport trucking firms which have been outfitted with the equipment) to press a button which will provide data on when and where a person was spotted hitch hiking.

 

The other part of the study involves an on line survey and interviews with hitch hikers. “We are trying to understand hitchhikers’ experiences and needs” says UNBC Women’s and Gender Studies Professor Jacqueline Holler. She says the study will conclude with recommendations to hitch hikers, police and communities on how to improve safety and develop alternatives to hitch hiking.

 

In addition to the gps “marker” system that will map the when and where a hitchhiker is spotted, Staff Sergeant Flewelling says RCMP Officers will stop and talk with hitchhikers and ask them to take part in a voluntary information gathering .   He says this might actually lead to information that could be used in the “E-Pana” investigation as hitchers will be asked to share some of their experiences and observations. Officers will also offer some safety tips to hitchers such as texting the plate number of the vehicle they are in to a friend or family member, avoiding getting in a vehicle if the driver has been drinking  and avoiding deserted areas.

 

The trucking companies have already been using the gps mapping system so there is about a month’s worth of data available on the when, who and where issues.   As for how long this study will take, Staff Sergeant Flewelling says he leaves that entirely up to UNBC, but he thinks it would likely need to be in place for at least one year.