Re: “Fatal motor vehicle collision closes Highway 8,” Aug. 8
Dear Editor,
Yet another life has been taken on Highway 8 west of Calgary.
We have worked and lived in the Elbow River Valley since 1998 and during this time a dozen people have died on the stretch of road situated between Glenmore Trail and Highway 22.
Many more have had serious accidents but were fortunate enough to live through the experience; some with injuries and others unscathed.
These people have been young and old and everything in between: they are our children, our teens, our mothers and fathers; our co-workers; our friends and our neighbours.
The accidents have had many causes including weather and road conditions, falling asleep at the wheel, impaired driving, excessive speed and distracted driving. I believe that almost all of these accidents and deaths have been the result of someone crossing the line and driving into oncoming traffic.
We drive this highway daily as do our children, our co-workers, our friends and our neighbours.
We see incidents all the time that not only make us shake our heads, but make us seriously wonder if we are going to arrive at home safely.
Drivers pass when unsafe to do so, drivers use turn lanes to pass, drivers make U-turns on the highway, drivers are using their cell phones, drivers use excessive speed and drivers are on the road after ‘consuming a few.’ Should we have to wonder where our loved ones are every time we hear the highway has been closed for investigation into a fatality?
There have been so many discussions about twinning this road.
Twinning the road would leave a buffer zone should someone wander out of their lane and, perhaps, a minor accident would replace a fatality.
The debate has carried on for many years - enough debate.
I believe we need to let the safety record of this stretch of highway speak for itself.
How many more memorial markers do we need as daily reminders of lives lost?
How many more families must suffer the excruciating pain of losing someone they love?
I know of at least a dozen spirits that wander Highway 8. May they watch over us as we travel that deadly stretch of highway and may they rest, finally, when something has been done to make the road safer for all of us.
P.S. – As I finish this, I learn that yet another fatal accident has occurred only two days after the last one. Another young life has been cut short, another family has been devastated.
I refer you to Facebook page... Highway 8 Citizens’ Safety Campaign and www.gopetition.com
Dori Doucette, Elbow River Valley
