How to make The Coq safer

Dear editor: I would like to share my views on the dangerous conditions of the Coquihala Highway this past winter.

There are several factors that are contributing to the number of accidents that are happening on this highway: • Poor weather conditions • Excessive speed by drivers • Lack of alternate/safer routes at lower altitudes

There is only one solution that l can see to stop the carnage on this highway: close the highway when it is not safe to use and keep it closed until conditions and weather improve.

People will complain, yes. But is it going to take fatalities to make everyone realize that this is a disaster waiting to happen?

Will 25 or 50 or 100 people have to die before something is done?

You simply stop the traffic at both ends and make people turn around and make other arrangements to travel. Or else wait a day or so until the weather and driving conditions improve.

This is only a suggestion to save lives and to stop the injuries and trauma people suffer when involved in highway accidents, plus the thousands of dollars in insurance costs and the manpower involved to clean up the accident site.

My main concern however, is to save lives and prevent more accidents. Marilyn LaFortune

Penticton