Editor:
Re: “Drivers urged to slow down on Hwy. 101,” July 9.
It is not only in the summer months that our traffic increases significantly. Every year, the number of cars on our roads is increasing as our population increases. In the last few months I have noticed a shocking increase in the levels of impatience, unsafe driving and passing, and general incivility on the roads.
Anyone who has lived here for any length of time knows that it is futile to try to get anywhere quickly on our one road. Even if you pass the car in front of you and roar ahead, you will just end up in front of them at the next light or hold-up when someone is stopped on the highway, attempting to turn left. Please leave a couple of minutes early, slow down, and you will get to your destination alive, without wiping out anyone else due to your impatience and selfishness.
I often ride my bicycle, and the number of folks who display animosity to bicyclists is shocking. In many cases, a bike on the road means one less car. Drivers must be cognizant of cyclists and give them the space and respect they deserve, and are entitled to by law.
Last week, I was almost “doored” by a young man as he exited his car parked along the edge of Highway 101 in Selma Park. As I swerved around him, I shouted “heads up” to which he shouted back, “It’s a highway.”
I’m not sure what his point was in this rude and dangerous behaviour (which incidentally is subject to a $368 fine in B.C.), but his comment has me thinking about this: it is time we stop referring to our road as a highway. What other highway has maximum posted speeds between 50 and 80 km/h, numerous bus stops and pull-outs, hundreds of driveways and access roads crossing it, and is dotted with large garbage and recycling cans two days a week?
I, for one, will be referring to the road that runs along the coast as “Route 101” and encourage others to do the same. Until such time as we have a bypass highway which can move our ever-increasing traffic quickly and efficiently up and down the coast, referring to our road as a highway is a joke. And not a funny one.
Michele Libling,
ts’ukw’um (Wilson Creek)