BC Liberal inaction leaves dangerous stretch of Trans Canada Highway without road rescue service
Posted by editor on June 20, 2012 · 3 Comments
To the consternation of many and with the Canada Day long weekend approaching, the BC Liberal government has no plan to provide local road rescue service in the Golden area, says Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.
The Golden area has been without local road rescue services since May 1. The coverage area includes the Trans-Canada Highway from the Rogers Pass to Yoho National Park, which was recently listed as one of the 10 Most Dangerous Roads in Canada.
“It is the responsibility of the province to ensure that when accidents happen, trained and equipped rescuers are quickly on the scene,” Macdonald said. “These are often life-or-death situations. But with the summer travel season upon us, there is no one contracted to provide this service in this area.”
It has been estimated that more than 10,000 vehicles per day travel this section of road in the summer months.
“There is no question that the government is going to have to move outside its traditional service provision model to solve this problem, and it is going to cost the government money. The current situation is unacceptable.
“This needs to become a top priority of government. We simply cannot go into the Canada Day long weekend without an established local road rescue service. It’s up to the Minister to ensure that travelers in our area are protected.”
I would like to believe that there will ambulance service available…the road is in terrible shape…potholes every where..my biggest concern is the different speed limits out there..and I don’t believe there isn’t any thing done about it..transport trucks..do any speed they want..us normal vehicles..90..doesn’t matter what speed is.. they the truckers can do over the limit..tail gateing is a big game with them..that should be some thing for your MLA to be pushing for..never have heard him say any thing about that..and the local hiway police should be questioned on this by city council and MLA..would like to hear their answer..
Fred, there is still ambulance service. But if you are trapped inside a crushed or rolled over vehicle there will be nobody to get you out of the wreck – paramedics and RCMP are not equipped to do that. If you are lucky perhaps they can drag you out without doing too much extra damage (like a field amputation).
Thanks for that Nick..staying home then..