Starting today, you can have your say on highway safety and speed limits in British Columbia, as the public consultation component of the Rural Highway Safety and Speed Review gets underway.

From Nov. 29 to Jan. 24, 2014, the Government of B.C. is conducting a province-wide consultation and engagement to seek input about safety and speed limits on B.C.’s rural highways. Through a series of open houses and online engagement, the public can have their say on safety issues facing drivers on these highways.

East Kootenay residents will have a chance to be heard in the New Year when a review session is held in Cranbrook.

Speed limits on longer stretches of rural highways between communities are being reviewed to ensure that appropriate speed limits are in place, encouraging safe driver behaviour. At the same time, the public will be asked to provide input related to reducing the risk of wildlife-related crashes and improving the safe and efficient movement of slower vehicles.

This review will also include public consultation on the use of winter tires in an effort to ensure that tire requirements address safety and reflect current technology.

Public input will form an important part of the Rural Highway Safety and Speed Review and will be considered in conjunction with the technical review, which is already underway. Included for consideration in the technical review are new technology, highway design and similar initiatives in other jurisdictions.

The ministry will also be seeking input from ICBC, police, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders. Practical recommendations from this review and a strategy for implementation will be ready in early spring 2014.

British Columbians can get more information on the review and share feedback online at www.gov.bc.ca/safetyandspeedreview/.

On Dec. 17, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Minister Todd Stone will host a Twitter Town Hall to have a discussion on speed limits and other issues affecting highway safety. Join the conversation and follow #BCSpeedReview on Twitter.

The public can also attend any of the eight regional public forums to be held starting Dec. 3, 2013. Forums will be held in Kamloops, Kelowna, Dawson Creek, Prince George, Vancouver, Cranbrook, Nanaimo, Chilliwack and Cranbrook.

The Cranbrook session will take place Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort and Conference Centre at 209 Van Horne Street.

“I’m sure most people have an opinion on speed limits, and I encourage all British Columbians to make their voices heard. If it’s convenient, attend a public forum, or go online and provide your feedback. We’re interested in what you have to say about the speed limits and other safety concerns on the highways you drive,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

ICBC president and CEO Mark Blucher added, “ICBC is pleased to be partnering with the provincial government and is looking forward to hearing what the public has to say about safety on B.C. highways. Road safety and keeping insurance rates as low as possible are priorities for us, and public input on speed limits and road safety issues will help us focus on potential solutions that British Columbians support.”

Learn more about the Rural Highway Safety and Speed Review and provide your feedback at: www.gov.bc.ca/safetyandspeedreview/.

Lead image: Highway 95A, St. Mary River Bridge. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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