Letter — Close call shows Highway 5A problems not solved yet

Minister Stone:

This afternoon (Jan. 2, 2015) at 1:30 p.m. as I was returning north on Highway 5A, on a sharp curve just past the houses overlooking Napier Lake at the south end, a logging truck heading south roared into sight going way too fast. Nearly half the truck was on my side of the road. He was heading straight for me. I had to make a very fast correction to the right and luckily there was enough room and I didn’t end up in the lake. We missed by a foot or two. As you may recall, Friday afternoon, it was snowing and the roads had not yet been ploughed or treated.

I reported this to Merritt RCMP as soon as I got home, twenty minutes later.
I had to react so quickly to save my life that I didn’t get the license or any identifying indicators. Just that the driver was hauling a big load of logs.

For the most part, trucks are driving 5A with more caution and care than a few years ago. I think the additional commercial police vehicles have helped. This is the first time I’ve had to take evasive action on a BC highway that I can recall.

There is probably nothing you or the RCMP could do in this situation. I want you to know that trucks can still be incredibly dangerous on 5A and truck drivers can still be irresponsible and put people’s lives at risk.

Highway 5A is narrow, with many twists, ups and downs and so many lakes without barricades. The problem of trucks is not solved yet.

PAULA PICK

Knutsford