Peachland bypass would be a life saver

DEAR EDITOR:

The fact that it took another death is tragic, but I welcome whole-heartedly Peachland’s city council’s renewed interest in forcing the Ministry of Transportation to finally reduce the speed on the dangerous stretch of highway, between Hwy. 97 & the Coquihalla interchange and Peachland’s Drought Road turnoff.

Going south, this section of highway with its breathe-taking panoramic view of the lake, curves downhill towards a very tight s-shaped bend that becomes even more dangerous, because it’s downhill at 90 km/h, picking up speed that has you hitting 110km at the bottom, as you whoosh by some poorsoul sitting (unprotected) in the middle of the highway, waiting to make a left turn onto Drought road – a driving procedure that for most drivers is incredibly dangerous, even worse in winter conditions.

High-centre-of-gravity SUVs and light trucks, are not built to corner like a lowslung sportscar. 90 km/h is too fast,

This is an important problem to local resident making every trip to and from Peachland a dangerous undertaking.

A mix of poor attention and poor driving skills, plus the natural physical limitation of the road, make this particular section prone to accidents.

Recent B.C. traffic studies show speeding is the direct cause of two of five traffic accidents. It also shows slower speeds saves lives.

I know the ministry does not want to slow traffic down Hwy 97., which is an international route, but this brings us back to the critical need for a Westside-Peachland bypass.

As our population grows, this section of Hwy. 97 ceases, in many ways, needs to be a highway and instead has become a vital main arterial municipal road – 85 per cent of Hwy. 97 traffic is local, connecting the Central Okanagan region.

Reduced speeds saves lives and fuel.

Jon Peter Christoff, West Kelowna