Concerns about speeding motorists on Denman Island roads are a top concern for residents following engagement sessions from BC Ferries.
According to executive director of public affairs Deborah Marshall at the end of May, residents voiced their concerns about the speeding motorists trying to get from ferry to ferry on the island.
However, some residents were unhappy with the comments made by BC Ferries. Marshall said “people were concerned that some customers might be speeding when they’re trying to get to the Hornby ferry or if they’re coming off Hornby Island, they might be speeding to get to the Denman Ferry.”
Member of Friends of Denman Forests Sharon Small wrote in an open letter to Marshall following the comments, saying that the words “some” drivers who “might be speeding” is not acceptable when it is a big concern and does not represent the situation.
However, leader of the group C Urquhart says the issue of speeding cannot be addressed entirely by BC Ferries but says their current service schedule contributes to the issue.
“The speeding is a huge issue, the trouble with that is it is outside of BC Ferries’ view,” said Urquhart. “It is because of certain ways that the ferry is set up that we do have people speeding, but it is more of a ministry issue in terms of what can be done, I think.”
However, there is fear concerning the speed according to Urquhart especially for anyone who walks on the roads or has children.
“There’s so many stories of people having near misses and close to death or near-death experiences on the roadways,” said Urquhart. “It’s putting all the wildlife at risk, there’s the noise pollution and the air pollution.”
According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, road safety enforcement is a challenge during peak summer travel periods especially when the area sees a large influx of travellers and vacationers.
The ministry asks drivers to slow down especially as road trauma is often preventable, and driving within the law is a good way to show respect to communities.
“With the start of summer, there will be more children playing outside and more vehicles and cyclists on the roads,” said the ministry. “Government urges travellers to get out and explore our beautiful province, while enjoying the ride and driving responsibly, while respecting posted speed limits.”
They add enforcement by means of speed cameras would not be an easy thing to do because multiple data points must be researched. They include extremity of speeding, the number of fatal and severe injury crashes and the potential to reduce collisions.
Urquhart feels chicanes, speed strips and other methods could be used to slow traffic.
She adds some of the issues could be addressed with BC Ferries adding more holding lanes in Buckley Bay where there are amenities and only allowing the amount of people who can get on the Hornby ferry to get on the Buckley Bay ferry.
Urquhart also says creating a direct route from Buckley Bay to Hornby Island would mitigate the issue entirely.
