The minute enforcement isn’t visible on Hwy 5, speeders are passing on double solids, in winding curves along rock faces, near big drop offs or on single lane double solids on a hill, sadly it’s a fact on highway 5 and safety doesn’t seem to matter, they just pass no matter what. Invincible?
Not only are these speeding bullets operated by lunatics with a licence to drive, but they are also literally a weapon propelled under the control of someone who quite obviously has no concern for the safety of others or themselves.
I drive this road daily between Kamloops and Barriere, often Kamloops to Clearwater and it’s become a roulette game of how many speeding ‘bullets’ are in the chamber today and what new shocking maneuver will I see on the road because there is always something new that makes me gasp, growl or yell out loud “Why?” with fearful amazement!
Every day, without fail, there are at least two or more, pickups, cars with the ‘N’ designation, or ‘out of province’ vehicles passing me on double solid lines. Every single day. Most often they don’t get ‘there’ any faster and we end up at the same light at the same time.
After passing me I watch ahead as they continue to pass, swerving around multiple commercial vehicles, recreational and others doing the speed limit or slightly over. No one is fast enough for these ‘bullet trains’ barreling down the highway. I try not to visualize them in a ditch ahead, I don’t want that for anyone no matter what. But, it’s a matter of time I think to myself. Will it be me or them? Maybe a family on holidays, a grandmother returning home with her grandkids after a birthday party? Who will be their victim and how will that impact every single person that loves them when they are gone or injured to the point that it changes everyone’s’ lives forever?
Giving BC Highway Patrol and CVSE credit, it’s always such a relief now to see them out there, lights on, with a vehicle or commercial vehicle pulled over, but as in every aspect of life these days, they are dealing with staff shortages and such large areas to patrol.
A simple thought, how about - I monitor myself. I take responsibility for my actions and become accountable for what I do and how I can impact other lives when I’m driving. I also think of my own beautiful family, my nine grandchildren, two of whom are driving now, and the ‘angel on my shoulder’ says, “better safe than sorry Het” so I move over, slow down and let them by, keeping space between my van and the vehicle or truck in front of me. Not that hard. Courtesy, awareness and responsibility.
The other evening driving back after work, not far out of Barriere at dusk, after counting three dead deer on my way to work that morning on the sides of the road near the high grasses along the shoulders, the semi in front of me turned on his back up lights a quickly, pumped his brakes gearing down and we all slowed together. It wasn’t until we’d almost come to a stop that I realized he’d been warning us that there was a deer crossing. Thankfully she made it across and down the riverbank. We were all spaced out, driving the speed limit and thanks to that truck driver and his fast thinking she made it down to the river for a cool drink that evening.
On the RCMP website under ‘Driving Tips’ it states clearly: ‘Regarding double solid lines, the Motor Vehicle Act states that the driver of a vehicle must drive it to the right of the line only, which means you cannot pass someone over a double solid line.’ https://bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/
Please, do your very best to listen to your shoulder ‘angel’ and get home safely today for the good of all. (Pssst. Kick that little ‘devil’ in the you know where and ignore the temptation to cross over that double solid. They are there for a reason.)
~ Hettie Buck
