Issue: Road Safety

June 17, 2015 - Community Meeting

A Community Meeting was held on June 17, 2015 to discuss the results of the survey and to start planning on how to address the major areas of concern. The top priority identified in the survey was for improved road safety. This was the only issue we had time to discuss in detail at the meeting.

Discussion:

The following items were brought up as issues or solutions:

More policing
One of the boards indicating your current speed – available from community services
Yellow lines painted
Reflectors at curves
Prohibit use of truck Jake brakes
Motorbikes speeding and in wrong lane
Local paper - we will report license p[lates - for awareness we are on it - road watch
Record and map accidents – fireman says in more than 60% of acidents there is no driver at site
More signage - drive slower – deer crossing
At Welcome sign - please be adfvised - drive careful
East Sooke residents are the speeders
Install mirrors at dangerous corners
Build trails - pedestrians, bicycles
Alberta drivers
Install flashing light at firehall to indicate trucks turning on to road
What exactly do we want to do - who decides - need list and info before talking to authourities
Brainstorming fails unless focusing on Actionable list - dont waste time on changing attitudes - not enough people to get action from MoH
Bridge - big cement trucks over-weight
School buses are large for safe turns around sharp corners - people passing sopped buses
Need data - accidents - too narrow spots - blind spots - no middle line - potholes - pictures
Pull in Beecher Bay people
RCMP should have accident data
Other communities - how are they dealing with it - Otter Point - does not have to be just island communities
Go to MoH - ask for examples of how we can work with them to improve road safety
Fall - press campaign - photos, utube, press release - key points - Sooke Mirror - Shaw
Fire fighters have ten years of accident data
Bring in road maintenance people Mainroad Contracting - what can make road safer
Aging population in East Sooke - need cat eyes on road edges
Measuring road width - East Sooke Road Survey sign on truck for safety and PR
Politicians may be held accountable if road unsafe or for an accident – use possibility of law suit to pressure for change
Mike Hicks responded quickly when made aware of problem with road dip at Ocean Springs intersection
Arrange items on Island News, Rural Observer - Val does community calendar, other media
Get signs to put at intersections when Sookehalla or Gillespie closed
Are there protocols that need to be followed or or other East Sooke groups that need to be consulted or notified of any actions
Another community meeting before fall meeting
Integrated Road Safety sign
Tie in with other communities - leave pamphlets around for other organizations
Is there funding available
Consult lawyer as to government's responsibility and liability regarding road safety

Actions:

Determine contacts in government, RCMP and other relevant organizations
Collect info by end of July
Issue invitation to meetings in August
Meeting – Monday, September 14 - Community
Meeting – Monday, September 28 – Community and officials

Organizations and officials:

Police
CRD planner
Emergency services
MoH
John Horgan
Randall Garrison
Mike Hicks
ICBC