- Following a tragic accident that claimed the life of a local women, residents have demanded a four-way stop sign on Government Road.
By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Nov. 17, 2012
District of Squamish has placed traffic counters on Government Road just south of the intersection, and on Depot Road east of the intersection.
The move comes after a tragic accident at the intersection claimed the life of a local woman on Nov.2
The two-vehicle crash happened at about 3:30 p.m, killing the woman while the male driver was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital with serious, but not life threatening injuries.
District spokesperson Christina Moore said the traffic counters will measure volume and speed at all times of the day.
“It will help the district to understand traffic and driver patterns approaching the intersection,” she said.
The RCMP is conducting an in-depth investigation into this accident.
The district plans to use this investigation to guide our actions and review of the traffic management plan at that intersection
It is imperative we look at the facts, and then determine a need for additional traffic safety measures, she added.
Sgt. Wayne Pride said investigators are looking at excessive speed and any possible impairment as factors, a standard procedure in such accidents.
The vehicles will be mechanically inspected and any/all potential concerns with impairment evaluated, in order to either confirm or rule out such contributory factors, Pride said.
The accident has spurred calls for more four-way stops on that intersection, and in the neighbourhood.
Squamish resident Shaylene Gulliman said it would make sense to have a four-way stop at every intersection.
“Having one on such a busy street coming directly off the highway is a must,” Gulliman said.
Speaking on Facebook Squamish Speaks, another resident, Frank St-Amand, said the intersection is unsafe because a driver has to move ahead of the centre of the intersection to make a turn.
Brackendale Owners and Tenants Association’s Stephen Perron said a few intersections in Squamish could use more traffic control, whether four way stops or traffic circles.
“I don’t believe adding four way stops or a traffic circle diminishes the experience or quality of the neighbourhood,” he said.
An ICBC study in Squamish revealed the intersection of Cleveland and Highway.99 was the most dangerous intersection.
The intersection saw 130 collisions between 2005 and 2009.
There were 34 collisions reported in the same period between Buckley and Cleveland Ave.
There were 17 collisions reported at the intersection of Garibaldi Way and Government Road.
Here are the top 5 collision spots and the number in Squamish, but keep in mind the data is three years old.
1. Buckley and Cleveland: 34
2. Cleveland and Pemberton: 13
3. Garibaldi and Government Road: 17
4. Government Road and Mamquam: 14
5. Highway and Depot: 19
Trevor Mils says
Drivers are so impatient these days. I go by the Garibaldi Way and Government intersection every day and often I see drivers that never intend to stop for the sign, they just wheel around the corner. If you are in the intersection you are in their way and they seem frustrated when you look over at them as you go by. The other issue that pisses me off is passing on the right. I drop my daughter off at Mamquam every day and I have to make a left off Government into the parking lot going south. I have people pass me on the right through the pedestrian lane where children could be walking all the time. Often there is only one or two cars coming the other way. People have no patients any more.
Glenne Campbell says
Warning to all Brackendale residents. The intersection Trevor speaks of is potentially going to change if the proposed Timmy’s and CIBC go in on the corner.
There will be even more people with no patience. Muni meeting tonite discusses this proposal.
Donny says
What a strange comment , “a driver has to move ahead of the centre of the intersection to make a turn”.
That is simply not accurate, and anyone who has to cross the white lines to be able to see to make a turn shouldn’t be driving.
We don’t need a four way stop system , and does anyone really think a stop sign would have prevented that awful accident?
Frank St-Amand says
Donny. This was a comment I made on FB but not accurately translated here in this article. My point is that when 2 cars are facing each other and wanting to turn left onto Depot road from Government road, there is no room to turn “in front” of each other. It is safer to turn “behind” each other. The vehicle act states that you must turn left “before” the centre of the intersection. But in this case, you can’t. You have to move “ahead” and “Across” the centre of the intersection to make your turn. Hope that clarifies that statement.
Muriel Shephard says
Depot Road has stop signs already: the school speed zone of 30 kh. on Government Road finishes just metres north of the intersection and the top speed limit is 50 kh. No-one should be going through that intersection at speed. People just need to observe the speed and stop signs and keep their eyes open.
adam says
I agree a 4 way stop would be a benefit, however speed and alcohol will always turn a blind eye to sense. I think we need more police stops on backroads in an effort to catch these repeat offenders. Some locals are lazy and in a rush. Just look at cars lined up on the “no parking” area outside of the Garibaldi post office. It’s only a matter of time before someone is hit crossing there…but who wants to listen. …no-one.
Eileen Says says
I was driving north and crossing the intersection keeping the faith of the stop sign on Depot rd. a small vehicle was coming up Depot (west) to looked like crossing Depot to forward up towards highway. I was doing the speed limit as I was just in a low velocity impact accident, driver bumped me in the back while at a red light, not paying attention. The driver was speeding and didn’t take time to stop at the stop sign and I had to swurve and having to drive into the two lanes on my right side to prevent from being hit and this driver almost ended up in the ditch on the other side of the road behind my vehicle. I do feel drivers need to be more awhere and use the ROAD SENSE and just keep off the road if you are having a bad day or not in the mood to drive… TAKE THE TIME OUT, JUST TO BE SAFE…