5, Slush

Old Skeena Bridge -to Hot springs

Top five factors leading to . motor vehicle accidents:

1.:Wild animal 19.86% 2. Unsafe speed 19.12% 3. Aleoho! 11.76% 4. Driving without due cara 8.09% 5. Weather | 7. 35% Age and sex of drivers: 13Male 16-255. 17, 65% 2: Male 26-35 16.18% 3. Male 36-45 13.97% 4.Female 16-25 12,50% 5. Female 26-35 6.62% - §, Male 46-58 6.62% Day of Week: 1. Saturday 21,32% 2. Friday 16.91% 3.Sunday — 15.44% 4. Wednesday 12.6% 5. Thursday 11.76% * Time of Day: 1.3 p.m.-6 p.m. 17.66% 2.6 a.m.+9 a.m. 16.91% 3.6 p.m.-9 p.m. 16.18% 4,.l2p.m-3p.m 15.44% 5,9p.m.-midnight 11.76% ' Weather: 1. Clear 36.7% 2. Cloudy 28.68% 3. Raining 16.18% 4, Snowing/sleet 12.5% 5, Fog 2.94% Road Condition: 1, Dry 48.59% 2. Wet 28.68% 3. Ice 16.91% 4, Snow 5.15% 2.94%

5. Slush

Terrace Weigh Scales to 75 km west on Hwy 16

Top tive factors leading to motor vehicle accidents: 1. Falling to yield right-of-

way 15.54% 2. Unsafe speed 14.69% 3. Alcohol 11.02% 4. Follow too close =: 9.92% 5. Wild animal 5.65% Age and sex of drivers: 1. Male 16-25 17.98% 2. Male 26-35 14.89% 3. Male 36-45 13.48% 4.Female 16-25 871% 5. Male 46-55 - 8:43% Day of Week: 1. Saturday - 19.94% 2. Friday 16.57% 3. Tuesday 14,33% 3. Sunday 14.33% 4. Thursday 12.92% 5. Monday 41,24% Time of day: 1.3 p.m.-6 p.m. 20.51% 2.12p.m.-3pim. 16.85% . 3.6 p.m.-9 p.m. 16.01% 3.9am.-12pm. 16.01% 4.9 p.m.-midnight 899% 5.6 a.m.-9 a.m. 8.71% Road Condition. 1. Dry 46.63% 2. Wet 33.15% 3. Ice 9,55% 4. Slush 5.06% 4, Snow 5.06% 5, Muddy 0.56% Terrace Weigh |

Scales to 35 km east on Hwy 16

Top five factors leading to motor vehicle accidents:

1. Unsafe speed 15.93% 2. Alcohol 15.04% 3. Driving without due care 9.73% 4, Fell asleep B.B5% 5. Not related 7.96% Age and sex of driver: 1. Mala 26-35 | 16.67% 2. Male 16-25 15.79% 3. Mala 36-45 14.91% _ 4, Female 76-25 8.77% - & Male 46-55 7.89% Day of Week: 1. Friday 21.93% 2. Saturday 18.42% 3. Monday _ 16.67% 4, Sunday _ 12.28% 5, Wednesday 11.40% Time of Day: , 112pm-3pm. 23.68%. 2.6 p.m.-9 p.m. 14.04% 3.9 p.m.-midnight 13.16% 4, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. 11.40% 5, 9 am.-12 p.m. ‘Road condition: 4. Dry 40.35% 2. Wet 30.70% ‘3: Ice 20.18% 4, Snow 6.14%

__ 2.68%

‘A NEW database used by police in Terrace and across: the province has the’ ‘potential

to. save lives by changing how, when and _

where highway patrol officers ‘set up road blocks.

+

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - A5

uring car crashes

The RCMP is using a new database detailing highway accidents since 1996 to help them beef up enforcement when and where drivers are most likely to get into accidents: |

+,

A special report by Sarah A. Zimmerman

The new database compiles “tocident ly

Statistics for every kilometre of highway in the province since 1996. It tells officers where accidents are mastly likely to happen, when and who will most likely be involved.

Using that information officers can schedule where and when enforcement should be done most effectively.

Since incorporating the program here, members of the RCMP highway patrol who monitor roads from Terrace to the Nass, Stewart and the Queen Charlotte Islands, have changed their shifts in an effort to nab more drunk drivers,

Before the Traffic Management Software Information Tool (TMSIT) was introduced here earlier this year, the highway patrol didn’t work as late into the wee hours of the morning as they do now, says Cnst. Gary Swanson.

Before, officers tried to focus on when the greatest number of people would be on the road, whereas now they’re targeting late night partiers who might be drinking and driving after leaving the bar.

“We are realigning our shifts so that 50 per cent of our time is spent on an afternoon shift,” he says.

That means working from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. or 5 p.m, to 3 am.

The shift change is in part a reflection of an overall change in approach to enforcement by the RCMP,

Information compiled by TMSIT revealed

the top three factors leading to people dying -

in car accidents on highways is because they aren’t wearing seat belts, an impaired driver was involved or was a result of aggressive driving, says. B.C.'s top highway patrol officer, Inspector Norm Gaumont,

Specific information about the location of accidents, time of day and day of the week can be garnered from the program.

“We can ascertain exactly where the high crash areas are,” Insp. Gaumont says. “Plus it tells them, ‘I’m working on a Friday night, it’s NOvember - where is the best place [ can find an impaired driver?”

The program seems to be working in other parts of the province; he says.

Prior to 1999 the Kootenays:averaged 22 fatalities per year. In 2001 the program was piloted by officers there and fatalities went down to 17.

In 2002 15 fatalities occurred and so far this year just 11, Gaumont says. |

He’s hoping to see those statistics replicated across the province.

The program isa valuable tool particularly to officers working in an area where they’ ve just been posted, says Cnst. Gary Swanson,

But the highway patrol posted unit based in Terrace is unique because of the amount

CONSTABLE Mike Lavric stands next to a speed sign

that could be a thing of the past if the province decides

to eliminate speed limits on'some northern roads. SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN PHOTO

IT COULD be quite a while before the RCMP here learns whether or not it will get more dedicated highway patrol to work dangerous highway sections in the north.

An ‘agreement in the works between the provincial government and ICBC could result in LOO more officers on the street, says Solicitor General Rich Coleman.

* How miany- of those officers might end up patroiling northern roads has yet to be

wo determined.

The’ extra highvay ¢ officers would be

Princa Rupert # 267 adgideats

hoa Cree Br he km east of 1

TO ; © 182 ate + SOA OS TERR ACE Jametiniivat _ \ | NewWjemo to <— shaw a pian, 8 eccidents 2 , Polyma at Creak Bridge yf es aan © 174 dtgidents ae y) Old Skeéha-Bridge, + 4 , e 38 eee * ffm Tame foun ar

oat

Pekar Cresk Bridge $6

et

- MP caycts Creek CF bitije

5 Gre “Tok South, to.

e 155 accents

wh _ ! d Hot Pan “4

wv Hot Sprit gs to ( djan Village Rd. eager

#132 ateldents

~_KITIMATS:

THIS MAP outtines the number of accidents on highways leading out of Terrace since 1996. The hot spot for crashes appears

to be in the areas nearest to town.

of time its members have served here.

Between four of the core members there's more than 40 years experience patrolling areas streets and highways.

“When I was asking, ‘are there any of these areas that surprise you where we're having these collisions?’ — the answer was no,” Swanson says. -

He thinks that local knowledge is invaluable, and says the TMSIT program confirms many of the observations he’s made over the years,

Shifting from targeting speeding drivers

to enforcing seat belt use makes sense, |

Swanson says.

Swanson counts several accidents in the past year between Terrace, Kitimat, Dease Lake and Prince Rupert where six people died — none of which were wearing seat belts.

The most recent being the death of Leona Williams, 59, a Kitimaat Village woman who was rear ended Nov. 27 while driving south to Kitimat from Terrace.

The bump caused her to lose control sending her into an oncoming vehicle, She

some area officials.

go L10- communities,”

Cast. Gary Swanson either.

islands and south to Kitimat..

kilometre every 20 years. erecting signs in remote areas conditions.”

police and ICBC have been

could be ayoided if only

paid using money ICBC currently gives to the police for road safety initiatives such as CounlerAttack,

That money ~ about $13-$15 million per year — is used mostly to pay off-duty officers to run the road blocks while getting paid time and a half.

“I have .never thought that was a very. good use of public funds,” Colerman told the Standard, —

He ‘thinks the money would be better spent paying the salaries of up to 100 new

“| was appalied to. hear that it was being considered — I just think it’s totally unreasonable,” said ICBC's regional road safety manager, Dave Dickson.

‘If speed limits are posted for 100 people are going to if we do that I can net see that il’s going to cause anything but a lot of injury and heartache in our various

The suggestion is not taking off with Terrace RCMP :

He's a member of the highway patrol which monitors enforcement on highways from here to the Nass Valley, north to Stewart and Dease Lake, the Queen Charlotte

“It's ridiculous to think thal there should be no o speed limits,” Swanson said of the proposal,

The report, commissioned by the provincial government, suggests the elimination of speed limits on roads such as Hwy 37 north from Kitimat to the Yukon border and route 97 from Fort Nelson to the Yukon border.

It cites crash frequencies as being as low as | crash per

In lieu of posted speed limits, the report recommends speed limits ahead, drive at a safe.and reasonable speed for But officials from the highway ministry, road contractors,

setious accidents happening on winter roads In the north

wasn't wearing a seat belt and died of her injuries.

It also comes as no surprise, he says, that statistics show the vast majority of accidents happen close to Terrace. 9.

For example, the largest cluster of accidents happening on Hwy 16 west.

occurred belween five and 10 kilometres oul of town. Since 1996 there have been 166 accidents at that location,

That's significantly more accidents in a five-kilometre stretch of road than the 100 accidents recorded in the 40-km section that takes in Car Wash Rock and the level rail crossing-- an area often

referred to as being particularly prone [8

to accidents.

Swanson speculates there are .more ‘collisions closer to town because there are more vehicles on the road, more intersections and stop-and-go traffic.

“The biggest population travels that distance every day,” says Swanson.

“Any enforcement we do in town might save a person when they're out on the highway.”

Axing speed limits on ~_ northern roads ‘appalling’

By SARAH A. ZIMMERMAN A RECENT study recommending the elimination of speed limits on northern roads could be a recipe for disaster, say

conditions,

MEMBERS of the northwest highway patrol do a routine seat belt check on Hwy 16 west of Terrace.

“Driving from Prince Rupert to Terrace yesterday, it’s: snowing like crazy and people are flying pass me,” Dickson.

said last week. “Then we take that and remove speed

limits?”

Dala provided by the Traffic Management Software: Information Tool (TMSIT) used by the RCMP, shows unsafe speed is among the top two factors leading to motor vehicle accidents on the highways leading out of Terrace. -

Unsafe speed doesn’t necessarily mean drivers are,

exceeding the posted speed limit, rather they're not reducing’

speed to meet the conditions of the road.

Swanson agrees though northern drivers may be familiar.

with northern roads that doesn’t necessarily mean they will adjust their speed to drive according to the road conditions. ‘ Weather is one of the biggest factors drivers. here have to,

contend with, he says.

time. reading, “NOTICE No posted

He and Dickson agree though inclement weather; rond maintenance, vehicle maintenance and humerous other factors may contribute to accidents on highways, it ultimately comes down to the person behind the wheel making smart decisions,

Despite the report's recommendations, minister . of transportation Judith Reid says no decision to enact the recommendation has been made, a

nd won't be for some

“There's no decision — this is just food for thought,” says Reid, adding the report's results must be evaluated by police

chiefs, ICBC and drivers to determine if the recommendation

is reasonable, saying for years that many

drivers drove according to

officers dedicated to road safety in an “integrated” program across the province. That means the money would be part of a cost sharing project belween ICBC, the province and the federal government. The catch is getting ICBC to sign on to

~ a long-term commitment of money instead of contributing on an annual basis. The.

province wants a five-year ‘commitment renewable for another five,

The new team would use a computer.

-database of crash statistics on highways

“It really needs local input from the RCMP and people living and driving on those roads.” “Safety on the roads is the top priority.”

Province wants 100 more officers patrolling dangerous highways

around the province to target the most dangerous sections of road,

Many of these officers still have to go through police training programs, which means it'll take time before they’re working.

“T think we'll be able to start rolling this: out fairly soon in the new year," Coleman, says, adding he’s already signed the agreement.

~.Now it's up ta oficials at Icae: to’ sigti on, he says. He Hopes that will happen by the end of the year.