Fans of the performing arts understand there are several theatrical genres from drama to tragedy, adventure and mystery. Any Squamish resident who drives on the Sea to Sky Highway, in other words the majority of the local population, has no doubt witnessed an array of those theatrics.
If you’re looking for drama, aggressive and unsafe driving will fit the bill. Those dramatic exploits can quickly have tragic results, as has been the case on numerous occasions this winter.
Who hasn’t experienced a twitchy driver behind them nudging ever closer at high speed? In particular, that stretch southbound from Brohm Lake to Depot Road has taken centre stage as a tailgating magnet.
Or how about the adventure of watching a fellow traveller putting the pedal to the metal on a slippery, snow-covered passing lane while the rest of the traffic flow takes a more guarded approach on the inside lane?
There’s also an element of mystery associated with this highway. You have to wonder why government officials spent upwards of $600 million on extensive safety upgrades and then raised the speed limit to 100 kilometres an hour between Squamish and the outskirts of Whistler. That parameter in effect means speeds of 110 to 120 have become standard practice on what can quickly morph into one of the most treacherous roads in the province.
Although this well documented litany of vehicular irresponsibility has been the subject of countless editorials, opinion columns and letters to the editor, the problem persists. We know variable speed warning signage is in place and will be activated by this fall. However, the extent of driver compliance will be directly proportional to the level of policing applied. Traditionally, traffic regulation enforcement on the Sea to Sky Highway has been inconsistent.
One of the conclusions we can reach is that too many drivers do not give a rodent’s posterior about their own safety or the safety of others.
So what is to be done? In the past, the mere suggestion of reinstating photo radar has triggered spasms of outrage from the “speeding is not the problem” lobby. There is always the option of launching a fusillade of irate emails in the direction of Minister of Transportation Todd Stone and our local MLA, Jordan Sturdy. Good luck with that.
It may be time to harness the shaming power of social media. Recently, a video involving a couple of road-raged drivers on the Lower Mainland went viral, leading to a search for the two participants. And more highway hijinks are being showcased daily on YouTube and Facebook.
Get ready to fire up those dash cams.
