Regarding your Dec. 18 front page, John Rustad wants to look into changing Highways Ministry contracts but I think Highways Minister Bond makes a sounder point when she says people have to slow down in winter conditions.
I drive the Vanderhoof highway often, for family reasons. I've never found the conditions deficient, just changeable. You cannot expect east of Bednesti to be as good as west to Vanderhoof, given more curves, elevation changes, shaded areas, greater traffic flow, and far less turns.
Near Jensen Road are multiple intersections slowing the traffic flow and increasing the occurrence of freeze-thaw patterns. This increases more as you get closer to Prince George. Slow speed allows engine heat to melt intersection snow accumulations when, out towards the opener Vanderhoof areas, snow blows clear. Follow a big truck too close and you'll know.
Compare Prince George to Jasper and the the freeway from Hinton to Edmonton where wide open prairie rules and roadways remain clear. Years ago Alberta had dual speed limits, daytime 65 mph, night 55 mph, something we should return to.
At night you cannot see a moose soon enough, at 100 kilometres per hour, to avoid them even with the best lights.
Did some fatalities like the two girls near Vanderhoof last year arise because of stray animals, necessitating evasive action? We'll never know. Uninjured animals don't hang around. People who think they can't go into a slide on a straight stretch are oblivious to weight induced ruts and frost heaves causing skids.
Recently, I just missed a bear near College Heights doing a legal 80 km/h. Never saw his blackness until he crossed my lights.
Shaded areas melt less and dry slower than sun-exposed ones. It may be bare and wet in Prince George while just a few minutes from the city induced heat, roads are treacherously frozen. Fatalities are bad luck in a skid. If no one's coming you may survive. Going slower allows you time for evasive action. Increase your luck factor by slowing down!
Police should ticket people driving the maximum posted speed in adverse road conditions. Our carbon-conscious government should cut night time and winter speed limits. The only people current speed limits protect is oil company shareholders.
One question though: Why would The Citizen put Shirley Bond's picture smiling, while discussing a three-fatality accident?
Knowing Shirley I know she wouldn't react that way. Your recent body blanket photos at least further your point. This photo doesn't.
Alan Martin
Prince George
