Living along Hwy 99, I witness the daily dangers posed to everyone using this road. I cycle here regularly and just yesterday, saw a tragic accident where a horse was killed by a vehicle speeding. Frequent accidents on Hwy 99 bring heartbreak and division to the community, underscoring the urgent need for stronger safety measures.

Hwy 99 is a critical route that connects the communities of Mount Currie and Pemberton, serving as a vital artery for drivers, cyclists, families, and local wildlife. However, its current state is hazardous. Free-roaming horses and other wildlife often cross the road, and the combination of sharp corners and high-speed limits creates a high-risk environment for accidents.

Statistics show that roads with high-speed limits and inadequate signage lead to a greater number of accidents. According to a report from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, areas with reduced speed limits and clearer signage see a drastic reduction in incidents involving vehicles and pedestrians.

We are calling on the government to implement key safety measures along this stretch of highway.

These include:

• Lower speed limits: Reduce the current 80 km/h limit between the bridge and Mount Currie to a safer speed, ideally 50 km/h, although some feel 60 km/h is a reasonable compromise, with 50 km/h on blind corners. Implement additional safety measures, including clear signage and improved visibility, to protect drivers, cyclists, families, and wildlife.
• Improve signage: Install clear, illuminated, and visible flashing signs to warn drivers of wildlife crossings, sharp turns, and agricultural activity. This includes trail stop signs at farm driveways and signage for slow-moving farm equipment, to protect both farmers and other road users.
• Install marked wildlife crossings or physical barriers: Install marked wildlife crossings and physical barriers to guide animals safely across or away from the road, protecting both wildlife and road users. Long-term infrastructure could include fencing and clearly illuminated crossings.

Your support is crucial to ensuring the safety of this vital community road. By signing this petition, you're urging local authorities to take these necessary steps to protect lives, both human and animal. Let's make Hwy 99 safer for everyone who relies on it daily.

Please sign this petition to demand these essential changes.