Speed review
BC’s government has launched a two-month public consultation phase of a rural highway safety and speed review. Residents can have their say on highway safety and speed limits on rural highways in the province through the process.
Speed limits on longer stretches of rural highways between communities are being reviewed to ensure that appropriate speed limits are in place, encouraging safe driver behaviour. At the same time, the public will be asked to provide input about reducing the risk of wildlife-related crashes and improving the safe and efficient movement of slower vehicles.
The government is holding a series of open houses throughout the province, but Powell River is not one of the communities where the events will be held. However, residents can provide feedback online up until January 24, 2014.
“I’m sure most people have an opinion on speed limits and I encourage all British Columbians to make their voices heard,” said Todd Stone, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “We’re interested in what you have to say about the speed limits and other safety concerns on the highways you drive.”
The review will also include public consultation on the use of winter tires in an effort to ensure that tire requirements address safety and reflect current technology.
Public input will form an important part of the rural highway safety and speed review and will be considered in conjunction with the technical review, which is already underway. Included for consideration in the technical review are new technology, highway design and similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.
The ministry will also be seeking input from ICBC (Insurance Corporation of BC), police, the Union of BC Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders. Practical recommendations from this review and a strategy for implementation will be ready in early spring 2014.
Stone will host a Twitter town hall to have a discussion on speed limits and other issues affecting highway safety from 7 to 8 pm on Tuesday, December 17. Interested readers can join the conversation and follow #BCSpeedReview on Twitter.
British Columbians can get more information about the review and share feedback online.
Typhoon relief
Powell River’s generosity has extended more than 10,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean.
Two recent fundraisers brought in $9,100, which will be matched by Canada’s federal government.
Tree Frog Bistro staff held a special dinner featuring a Filipino buffet and silent auction. Proceeds from the evening totalling $4,638 will be donated to Canadian Red Cross.
Pebble in the Pond Environmental Society hosted an evening of stories, music, poems, songs and other entertainment. A silent auction was also featured. Proceeds amounted to $4,450 and will be split between Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) and Action Against Hunger International (Action contre la Faim).
International aid has been pouring into the Philippines since Typhoon Haiyan hit on November 8. It was the second deadliest typhoon on record to hit the Philippines and caused catastrophic destruction in the central part of the country that consists of more than 7,100 islands.
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