The Editor:
I am a member of the Time to Twin committee that is trying to get Highways 6 (south) and 39 from Regina to North Portal twinned.
But I am writing this letter as a mother and grandmother who was seconds away from having my daughter, son-in-law and two precious grandsons being in what could have been a potentially fatal collision Saturday morning, March 2.
They were going to Regina for a fun weekend to visit friends. There was fog, the road conditions were good and at Midale a three-quarter ton truck pulled out and passed a semi. The truck was in their lane and my son-in-law was forced to take to the ditch to avoid a head-on collision. Their mid-sized car against a three-quarter ton truck and a semi ... a real nightmare.
Thankfully, my family were all safe. But a few seconds could have changed our lives forever.
The driver of the truck did not stop, neither did the semi-driver.
I am quite aware that accidents happen on all highways, but it feels that in this part of the province, we are trapped. No matter what direction we take, the highways always are extremely dangerous with high volumes and large vehicles.
The major problem lies with the aggression, stupidity and carelessness of the drivers, as illustrated with this incident. I cannot figure out what is so important that they will KILL to get to their destination.
Our Mounties are stretched thin and have to cover large areas, but a benefit would be more patrols on these highways. If monitored, the majority of these drivers are probably either over .08 per cent; high on street drugs, prescription meds, have no valid driver's licence or are too short on sleep. They will continue to be hazards on the highways, causing injuries or needless deaths.
The only solution I feel is the twinning of these Highways #39 and 6 (south) which will decrease deaths and near-death experiences of head-on collisions. It had been recommended by the previous highways and infrastructure minister Jim Reiter, that passing lanes could be built. Passing lanes though, are for drivers who would use them properly and who are courteous and would let vehicles merge. I feel passing lanes would be a Band-aid solution to a problem that is getting larger every day.
With our already booming oil activity and the oil and grain commodity hub now being built in Northgate, how many more vehicles will be added to our already overstressed highways and roads?
I am aware that with prosperity comes change, but so should safety. We deserve some safety.
I experienced many emotions that day ... anger towards the careless driver who could have taken my family and anger at the politicians who seem to ignore our concerns about safe highways. Amid all the anger, there is extreme thankfulness to God for watching over my family.
My daughter has one request; She would like the driver of the truck to see her two little sons, ages four and two ... the two innocent lives that could have been taken.
I will never forget that day, thankful that the outcome was positive.
Sincerely,
Lauralie Ireland
Co-chairwoman Time to Twin Committee
Estevan
