Death on Four Wheels
Prince George, B.C.- Between December 23rd of 2015 and February 3rd, eight people lost their lives on area roads and there was a serious bus crash. In most of these crashes driving too fast for conditions was a contributing factor.
Winter driving conditions can be present in the North Central region of B.C. from October to the end of March, yet, despite warnings and reminders to slow down and drive to conditions, lives are being lost.
Statistics show there were 290 lives lost in crashes on B.C.’s roads in 2014 ( the latest year for such numbers), and speeding was a contributing factor in 83 of those crashes. Speeding is defined as driving at an unsafe speed, exceeding the speed limit, excessive speed (defined as exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 40 km/h), and driving too fast for conditions.
Speeding has become the number one killer on the roads in this province, followed by distracted driving and alcohol.
“The way I see it, people are in a hurry to get nowhere” says RCMP Sgt. Al Steinhauser of North District Regional Traffic Services “They want to pass the slower vehicle in front of them, they don’t realize that on certain stretches, the highways are rutted because we have heavy transports. Once you get into that rut, then up on to the ledge, ice or anything there, will cause the vehicle to start to rotate, and if you’re not expecting it you lose control.”
Of the 290 fatal collisions in the Province in 2014 , sixty two occurred in the North Central region. While not the highest number of fatalities in B.C., (the Southern Interior had 108), the numbers are even more stark when they are compared to the population in the region.
- The North Central region had 18.93 deaths per 100,000 population in 2014. The highest ratio in all of B.C.
- The Greater Vancouver-Fraser Valley rate was 3.25 per 100,000
- Southern Interior was 15.71 per 100,000
- The Vancouver Island-Coast region had a rate of 3.58 per 100,000
- The overall provincial rate was 6.26 per 100,000
The most recent report from the Province of B.C. notes some factors which may explain a higher fatality rate in the north central region including, adverse weather conditions, wildlife collisions, lack of centre barriers on highways, it may take longer for emergency personnel to arrive on scene on a remote and rural stretch of highway, and, that vehicle occupants in rural areas are less likely than their urban counterparts to wear seatbelts.
Heading into a long weekend, the message is all about planning ahead and making sure you give yourself enough time so that you can drive according to conditions. Simply put, that means slowing down to a speed where you still have a safe stopping distance on a road that may be icy, slushy, snow covered or a combination of two or all of those conditions.
There is little police can do to enforce drivers to drive at a safe speed for conditions says RCMP Staff Sergeant Reinhold Weissbock “For instance, we know the vehicle that is doing 80kms an hour in a zone that’s posted for 100 kms is still going too fast when the road conditions are bad, but they aren’t doing anything illegal and unfortunately, we can only step in when that driver has lost control.”
There are only a couple of highways in B.C. where variable speed signs are ( or will) be posted to make it illegal to drive above a certain limit when conditions are poor ( the Coquihalla is one).
Four wheel drive is not the answer on highways says Sgt. Steinhauser who says it’s only an advantage on City streets where traffic is stop and go “Basically, if you have four wheel drive, you can start off a little easier because you have four wheels turning, but you aren’t going to stop any faster.”
Staff Sergeant Weissbock says tires are also an issue, as most vehicles have tires that are rated for mud and snow (M&S), which may not offer the type of performance needed in this part of the Province “That’s one of the things we look at when we are investigating a crash. Do they have M&S tires, or do they have dedicated snow tires on the vehicle?” He says it’s still too early to say if there is any correlation but it is something they are tracking to see if it is a factor in this part of B.C.
And rapid swings in weather conditions can lull drivers into being less cautious. Last week at this time, roads were wet and the temperature during the day was in the plus 7 range, this week, the temperatures are much cooler, the area has had fresh snow and next week the prediction is for rain during the day and below freezing temperatures overnight. Changes in elevations ( and there are several elevation differences in Prince George) mean cooler temperatures the higher you go, so drivers may find they are driving on wet roads in the bowl area, but are un prepared for the black ice that may exist in College Heights, the Hart, or Pineview.
According to ICBC, on average, two people are killed and 270 are injured in 1,300 crashes every February in the North Central region. February is just underway and there have already been two deaths this week.
“Basically, drivers need to slow down and learn to be patient” says Sgt. Steinhauser “you may get to your destination a little later than you planned, but at least you will get there.”
Comments
I emphatically agree about those transport truck ruts causing accidents. Some of the deeper ones have even caused me to wrestle for control in the middle of summer.
“For instance, we know the vehicle that is doing 80kms an hour in a zone that’s posted for 100 kms is still going too fast when the road conditions are bad, but they aren’t doing anything illegal and unfortunately, we can only step in when that driver has lost control.”
Nice to hear that cause I know guys who have got pulled over going to work in the morning and were ticketed for going too fast for road conditions and were under the posted speed limit.
One of the biggest reasons that many people speed on our roads is because they can. On the highways there is little or no police presence and if you do see one, there’s little chance you will get hit with a speeding ticket unless you are well above 110km, seems the new allowable speed limit is more like 120km in our 100km zones. Even in town, when was the last time you know of someone who got knicked for speeding. I’m not saying the cops don’t enforce the speed laws anymore, but I’m pretty certain the volume of tickets they write are way down. WHY? More people are out there speeding and driving more aggressively……it’s not for a lack of targets for the cops!
you hit the nail on the head there Northern Citizen. Compared to vehicles on the road even 20 years ago new vehicles will blow them out of the water with the power available even the crappy little town vehicles will go like snot. Just because you have power under the hood doesn’t mean you need to use it all.
I am one of those drivers that piss the speeders off because when I travel I do exactly the speed limit my cruise control gets put on and away I go. What I find endlessly hilarious is all these people pass me and then they pass me again and again. In December I drove to Vanderhoof I had 5 vehicles pass me over and over and guess what I still beat them to Vanderhoof.
Give us better road maintainence budget. Give them the money so that they can clear the highways free of snow, and not wait until there is a build up of 4 inches. It is pretty simple,
I fully agree with the points of this article and the comments thus far. Unfortunately, warnings broadcasted by police are all we seem to get for enforcement. The cops need to be out there enforcing the rules because there are a vast number of motorists that drive like they are on the autobahn.
I think that the recent tragedies involving loss of life and serious injuries should have already prompted ICBC and the RCMP to make traffic enforcement a high priority. One does not have to look far to see illegal/poor driving habits. ICBC sites this as reason to increase insurance rates. On top of this there is now alot of grieving family and friends who have recently lost loved ones on our highways.
Now, right now, today, is the time for law enforcement to get out there in full force and whip (ticket) the bad drivers into shape.
“Even in town, when was the last time you know of someone who got knicked for speeding.”
The speed limit in town is 50km/h unless posted otherwise! Just try sticking to that 50 limit on 5th, 10th, 15th…..anywhere and find out about being mercilessly tailgated! It appears that everybody thinks the limit must be about 60m/h and then they add the usual (RCMP forgivable) 10 clicks and they are closer to 70km/h! Even the RCMP and city vehicles ignore the posted limits. Solution? Tickets.
What would happen if 8 people died in PG because of a terror attack. Heck they would throw billions at it.
Mexico a 3rd world country has almost all 4 lane highways from the north to the south.
I agree with Northern Citizen too! Either the province has cut back the number of members on Highway Patrol or the burden of providing evidence for court has kept them off the road?? As there are so few PC’s on the road, those willing to take chances, are! The only place you regularly see traffic cars on the highway is around Williams Lake and 100 Mile.
Another pet peeve on our highways west is Lomak. They travel at 95 and below. They get 20 impatient vehicals behind them and it’s just a matter of time before someone does something stupid. If the road condition allows, the rigs need to do the posted speed limit.
Before we give YRB another penny lets see a financial showing they are under paid, I have never heard them say we are not paid enough to do a good job. Reading Castanet yesterday and Argo is about as good as YRB. When your profits are higher if you do less work, do you really expect good performance. Have never seen a post congratulating YRB on a job well done????????????
“Mexico a 3rd world country has almost all 4 lane highways from the north to the south.”
This is sort of like comparing an apple to a water melon
Mexico has 122 million people living in it
BC has in the neighbourhood of 5 million and less than 11% of the population living north of Kamloops
Is that the motoring population dearth? Probably not.
Lousy comparison you made Dearth. The state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico has a population of 4.8 million and all 4 lane highways. As of January 5, 2016 these are the gasoline prices in mainland Mexico (most of the country).
Magna (regular gas) – 13.16 pesos / liter.
Premium (92 mid grade gas) – 13.98 pesos / liter.
We get hosed on our road tax.
I must be missing something hear happy 13. The exchange rate for pesos is approximately 13 for each Canadian dollar. Which makes a liter of gas in Mexico roughly one Canadian dollar.
It’s long past time we stopped handing out driver licenses like they’re candy on Halloween. We need to make it tougher to get and to keep a license.
I did not realize they handed out different driver licenses in the interior of the province from the lower mainland and the island.
There are other factors at play. We have read about ruts. What we have not read about is the increasing number of trucks per passenger vehicles and the speed at which they travel which is above the speed limit when they can and below the speed limit when their unit cannot handle the tandem load of lumber.
The roads in the interior, other than the 4 lane sections, are not designed for that mix of highway travel.
We have had speed limits of 100, then 90, then 100 again and now 110 on some 4 lane sections such as the plateau between 100 mile house and Clinton.
People, The government is us. You want more provided, we get taxed more. It is pretty simple.
We have not seen anything in the above article about sections of road and the relationships to crashes. These days it becomes harder and hard to see line markings. The south seems to have much better reflectors indicating where the side of the road is at night. Grit on the road over the winter hide many of those lines on the road. I just drove the highway from Kamloops via Falkland to Kelowna in the dark. Not normally driving that section of the road it was difficult to determine where on the pavement my vehicle was located, so slowing down was the response – driving to the condition = night time, no reflectors on the sides in the curves, poor markers on the pavement, not familiar with the road.
“You want more provided, we get taxed more. It is pretty simple.”
More accidents, we get dinged for the increase in claims through our insurance.
The gas tax should be paying for road improvements as well as road maintenance. It seems that it is not. Can someone let us know what the breakdown is of where road improvement funds come from – gasoline tax and general revenue. In the city property taxes actually pay for road improvement and maintenance for non-provincial roads, not gasoline taxes.
once again posted speed limits are for good road conditions only….slow down for inclement weather and you might make it home in time for dinner. Transport trucks doing 95 kliks, I don’t see whats wrong with that. I would rather have them doing one constant speed than up and down like a yoyo, a lot safer this way. Thirdly using cruise control in the winter time is a great way to try and get yourself killed, don’t do it. You could have an 8 lane hwy. from pg. to the coast and you honestly feel that will slow people down and all of a sudden turn them into responsible drivers??? We did a test once from here to Mcbride pulling equivalent loads. One truck did 100 kliks, while the other did 95 kliks. The total time difference was about the time it took to pull out the thermos and have a cup of coffee!! There is an old saying and that is sit back and enjoy the drive. BE SAFE.
ONE other note is that as far as m&s tires vs. true snow tires studded or not, does make a world of difference. I drove m&s for years then switched to a true snow tire and could not believe the difference. I don’t often agree with Steinhauser but this time I will give him this one.
Think you hugely missed the point Ice. What you are suggesting is the speed limit needs to be lowered to 95. It’s the law to be able to do the posted speed limit.
Based on years of experience and observation, the following fundamental concepts have been used to establish realistic speed zones.
The majority of motorists drive at a speed they consider reasonable, and safe for road, traffic, and environmental conditions. Posted limits which are set higher or lower than dictated by roadway and traffic conditions are ignored by the majority of motorists.
The normally careful and competent actions of a reasonable person should be considered legal.
A speed limit should be set so that the majority of motorists observe it voluntarily and enforcement can be directed to the minority of offenders.
A driver’s choice of speed can impose risks on other road users. Crash severity increases with increasing speeds because in a collision, the amount of kinetic energy dissipated is proportional to the square of the velocity. Crashes, however, appear to depend less on speed and more on the variation in speeds. The likelihood of a crash occurring is significantly greater for motorists traveling at speed slower and faster than the mean speed of traffic.
Maximum speed limits are set for ideal road, traffic, and environmental conditions.
Establishing safe and realistic uniform speed zones is important because it invites public compliance by conforming to the behavior of the majority of motorists and provides a clear reminder to violators. It also assists the courts by providing a guide as to what constitutes a reasonable and prudent speed and reduces arbitrary enforcement and conviction tolerances. Furthermore, it ensures that the requirements and intent of Provincial and local laws
My thoughts are with the police and other first responders that have to deal with the results of people driving too much. Imagine seeing what they see on a regular basis. Slow down people. Those extra 3 – 5 minutes you might gain are not worth the risk of death.
Thank you for this information Elaine. As you know, I travel Hwy 97 frequently and have seen these accidents you are referring to. I couldn’t agree more that the majority are caused by both careless driving as well as not driving according to the conditions. I believe a stronger RCMP presence would benefit greatly.
Remember the inside lane is the trough lane, outside is the on off lane.
cheers
If you have following traffic make it easy for them to pass if not you are just as to blame if that frustrated driver has an accident passing you.
Passing lanes how come most people holding up traffic tend to speed up in a passing lane? The traffic now will go like a bat out of hell to pass. In a passing lane I will slow down making it easier for traffic to pass.
I do not feel entitled to the road.
I think we need a municipal police force, and a provincial highway patrol. RCMP get a deposit into their bank account every two weeks – and it says – GOVERNMENT OF CANADA. That’s who they think they work for, not the people of BC or PG. And when they’re stationed here, they know it’s just for 5 years. No real attachment to the community. Never mind we pay 90% of their salaries, the Attorney General of Canada is their boss – and it’s his agenda they follow.
RCMP are way to preoccupied dealing with Federal issues to even bother with petty things like traffic control. 8 deaths in six weeks, and if you drive by North District’s building right now – there’s more police cars parked than patrolling. In fact, I’d bet real money there is no car patrolling North of PG at this moment.
I grew up in Delta, with Delta police, and their focus was on speeders, noisy parties, jerk teenagers like me. If the mayor in Delta tells the chief to crack down on people not stopping for school buses, next morning, they’re out in force doing it. RCMP, nod politely and go back to whatever it is interests them and their Federal masters.
Go to Vancouver, see those shiny motorcycles with cops on them, traffic is all they do, and they are relentless.
I agree, these accidents are caused by human error, but human’s won’t modify their behavior without a reason, otherwise, we wouldn’t need police at all.
ski51 you are correct in this assertion. RCMP too expensive on so many levels. Prince George and to a greater extent the Regional District FFG must explore alternatives to the RCMP.
Did a road tour through most of the western states in the fall. Very few speeders, lots of radar and cops on the road. Might have something to do with the cops mostly being local and chiefs being elected so they maybe listen to their local electorate more to keep their job.
Oh and there is no messing with the CHP.
*:”Mexico a 3rd world country has almost all 4 lane highways from the north to the south. ”
True enough! They have been improving their highway system tremendously year by year. Mexico’s constitution does not allow Mexico’s military to be deployed in any other country. Very firm constitutional law. Perhaps they know something that has escaped our attention: money is better used at home for a home force defensive military and for the steady improvement of domestic infrastructure.
Just saying, of course. It is so darn obvious.
Retired 02 with a score of -4
“Remember the inside lane is the trough lane, outside is the on off lane.”
Completely false
All lanes are through lanes with the exception of dedicated turn lanes. Through lanes are all those that go “through” the intersection
@happy13 As of today exchange rate is 13.28 Mexican Pesos to one Canadian dollar so by your numbers they are paying a buck a litre, last time I checked we are less even with our gas taxes added in
The posted speeds are defined as the MAXIMUM.
In other words, your are only allowed to go UP TO that posted speed, not over the posted speed.
So any one complaining about a certain trucking company that their drivers always go at or below the posted speed, then the drivers are complying with the letter of the law AND company policy so that they can retain their employment.
There is a myth that “they” allow up to 10 percent margin of error, not 10 KM/h. That is not quite correct or true. There is no actual allowance for that.
So, for safety sake, and to avoid interactions with police, court appearances and fines, I suggest that drivers keep their speed BELOW the posted speed.
If you feel the need for speed, join pgara or build/buy a drag race car.
I know of what I speak, because I have spent the last ten years after a driving suspension to get a clear, clean drivers abstract. I have a heavy right foot, so it has been a major challenge.
Clear Gasoline Tax Rates per Litre
Type of Tax
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Service Region (Vancouver Area)
Victoria Regional Transit Service (Victoria Area)
Remainder of the Province
Dedicated Motor Fuel Tax – TransLink
17.00¢
N/A
N/A
Dedicated Motor Fuel Tax – BC Transit (Victoria)
N/A
3.50¢
N/A
Dedicated Motor Fuel Tax – BCTFA
6.75¢
6.75¢
6.75¢
Provincial Motor Fuel Tax (general revenue)
1.75¢
7.75¢
7.75¢
Total Motor Fuel Tax
25.50¢
18.00¢
14.50¢
Carbon Tax
6.67¢
6.67¢
6.67¢
Total Provincial Tax
32.17¢
24.67¢
21.17¢
Slinky. I would expect you to be intelligent enough to figure out the tax rates are per litre. When it’s at $.90 cents the tax rate never fluctuates with the price of oil. Lol yesh.
“Remember the inside lane is the trough lane, outside is the on off lane.”
Completely false
===========================================
So then what is the rule? I think that many PG drivers have no idea what that rule should be. It takes 10 min to get across town so just slow down and drive safely and that means don’t look what the next guy is doing.
I think many have are confused about driving in the city with driving on four lanes at 100 and higher km’s posted speeds
cheers
With all that so-called confusion is it any wonder that the technology of self-driving vehicles is being advanced at break neck speed? At least those vehicles will stop at stop signs (lo and behold) and will merge smoothly without holding up half a dozen others every time!
Oh, I forgot to mention that those computer driven cars will not tail gate since impatience and road rage are not part of the computer program. Even turn signals will actually be used purposefully instead of just being useless never used appendages!
PrinceGeorge.. so when the driverless cars hit PG, can you not forsee a jacked up truck messing with it? Pass it, cut it off, hit the brakes and accellerate and hit brakes again. The driverless car will not get upset (brake/gad/brake/gas) but the person riding in it will have coffee and sammich all over their lap, window, tablet and feeling helpless that a computer has quite literally taken over their pride. Kinda funny… considering I will be one of the last people to go driverless, and may screw with these automatons (a little) myself!
Kidding aside, the posts on this thread should convince someone with authority that it IS time to step up traffic enforcement to save lives.
I HOPE THEY ARE LISTENING:
-Mr. Mayor and Council
-ICBC
-Supt. RCMP (City and N. Dist)
-And even you Sgt. Al Steinhauser! Miss seing you roadside with a radar gun…. kind of!
Wonder how ICBC will handle accidents with autonomous driven cars? Oh wait charge the computer manufacturer and programmer?
Auto-car in a snowstorm, 5 mph. Actually no success yet with auto-cars in adverse weather, or differentiating between a rock or plastic bag.
Yes, teenage fun, hit the breaks in front of an auto- car then watch the mayhem.
My comments about the capabilities of driverless cars was tongue-in-cheek, we won’t have them here in PG for many years to come. So far they guide themselves by GPS, line painting on roads and with 360 degree cameras.
Messing with one would risk getting caught on video, though! For now we just have to pay more attention when we are driving…a task beyond the normal 30 second attention span of many human beings today! Enjoy your ride while it lasts!
Brakes not breaks, gotta love auto correct but why.
I had to go to Quesnel and back for work today. I had some idiot pass me on the right when going thru a construction zone. People passing on double solid lines and corners along with one brain dead idiot who went around me while stopped for a school bus with lights flashing. I had cruise control set at 105 km. People need to slow down and us their brains.
With a name like “LT1” you should be used to being passed – hehehe
I keed I keed
Drive safe people
Sorry happy13 gas taxes are included in the price per litre. We pay 31.17 cents in most of BC, Victoria pays 24.67 and Vancouver pays 32.17 cents per litre all taxes included.
Comparing the mexican litre at a buck Canadian and ours at under 90 cents with taxes included I think you are trying to say the taxes should pay for 4 laning 10,000km of roads within BC. Sorry but you are forgetting the tolls on these 4 lane highways in Mexico, that is what pays for them. Maybe they should charge you 40 bucks or even 100 bucks toll per trip to Vancouver and then they can 4 lane it all the way to Alaska and make everyone happy. Just think of all the revenue, The Coke was paid for by tolls and so is the new bridge, why stop there.
“Speeding has become the number one killer on the roads in this province”
BS! They keep feeding us this koolaid so the sheep won’t mind the tax police raiding our wallets.
The hwy out west was a sheet of ice Friday night. The only sand truck seen all night were when it was pouring rain out there and then one that was coming out of Norman Lake Rd. It drove all the way back into town and never dropped a grain of sand the whole way. It also drove right by the Isle Pierre Rd and left those poor truckers having to chain up to get out of the mill to deliver chips to the pulpmill so they could make paper for everyone to wipe their butts with. YRB needs a lesson in common sense.
Comments for this article are closed.