In northwestern Ontario, there have been four crashes involving transport trucks over the past three days, leading to renewed demands for improved safety measures on Highway 11-17.
The latest crash happened Thursday morning at around 7 a. m. It involved a car and a transport truck on Highway 11-17 close to Sistonens Corners.
The driver of the car, a 28-year-old woman from Kakabeka Falls, was declared dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Theresa Wabason, regional media coordinator for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North West Region.
“The investigation is still ongoing but there’s no foreseeable charges with regards to this collision,” Wabason said.
The other incidents include:
A crash on Tuesday involving a pick-up truck and a transport truck on Highway 17 between Shabaqua Corners and Upsala that led to one serious injury. A second incident on Tuesday that resulted from the first crash, which involved two transport trucks. No injuries were reported but one transport truck driver was charged with careless driving. A single-vehicle accident on Wednesday involving a car hauler on Highway 17 in English River. No injuries were reported and no charges were laid as a result.![]()
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says he received a call from a Sachigo First Nation band councillor on Thursday expressing concerns about highway safety. (Sarah Law/CBC)
Alvin Fiddler is Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, an organization representing 49 communities in Treaties 9 and 5.
He mentioned that the first collision reported on Tuesday involved members of Webequie First Nation, which is about 540 kilometres from Thunder Bay. He noted that one woman has been hospitalized in intensive care due to her injuries.
“Now that winter roads have opened up again for another season, there’s more families travelling from our communities into urban centres like Thunder Bay or Dryden,” Fiddler said.
You can have laws but if they’re never enforced, they don’t mean anything.- Lise Vaugeois, Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP MPP
Winter roads provide essential routes for remote First Nations who rely on these seasonal paths for supplies.
“The winter road from Moosonee will be opening up soon – it connects to Cochrane – so that means just more traffic,” he explained.
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“Those inspection stations perform vital functions; however we’d also prefer seeing proactive steps taken upfront ensuring regulations apply effectively towards industry itself,” said Vaugeois finally emphasizing once more “You can have laws but if they’re never enforced they don’t mean anything.”`
If discussing conditions along these critical routes specifically; Fiddler praised maintenance crews’ efforts through harsh winters while pointing out challenges faced traveling southern Ontarios’ icy stretches because snowbanks greatly reduce available maneuvering space posing risks dangerous situations arising unexpectedly occurred anytime ahead requiring swift decision making escape maneuvers rapidly executed accordingly!`
“I truly hope ministry responsible reviewing policies implemented examining contributing factors behind fatalities accidents closures aiming introduce measures enhancing protection travellers traversing these important thoroughfares” concluded him decisively expressing urgent need resolve amidst growing community unease ensuing aftermath recent events experienced recently preceding now presently!”`
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Infrastructure, inspections, training
This past weekend saw rallies across several northern Ontario communities due to rising safety concerns regarding local highways. Lise Vaugeois, NDP MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, has long been an advocate for better highway safety in the region. She focuses her concerns on three main areas: infrastructure quality, inspections of transport trucks, and training for drivers. LISTEN | Northerners continue to be concerned about highway safety: 8:53Northerners continue to be concerned about highway safety The safety of highways remains crucial for many people here especially after several weeks filled with winter storms. We’ll hear from Thunder Bay – Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois about what she thinks should be done. Durng the Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP Federal General Membership Meeting last week members unanimously passed a resolution urging federal action aimed at upgrading Highway 11-17 through twinning it or creating what’s known as a two-plus-one highway system. This system features a central passing lane that alternates direction every few kilometres while maintaining median barriers designed to prevent head-on collisions. A spokesperson for Ontario’s minister of transportation provided an emailed statement responding to Vaugeois’s worries earlier this week. “Safety is our government’s top priority and we take all road incidents in northern Ontario extremely seriously. That’s why we’re investing $4.3 billion through our Ontario Highways Program,” stated the spokesperson’s message. “This year alone we’re investing nearly $600 million toward building and repairing northern roads including bridges and highways.” They also mentioned maintaining some of the highest winter maintenance standards in North America with plows deployed within thirty minutes of storms and over 1,400 pieces of equipment operating around-the-clock.” An added concern raised by Vaugeois during her visit earlier this week included staffing issues at inspection stations like Shuniah Inspection Station which she claims often remains closed when needed most.“We want those inspection stations fully staffed,” Vaugeois remarked.” They’re just not hiring enough people necessary.” “When talking about truck driver training,” she continued “there’re major issues surrounding schools failing their obligations regarding proper instruction.” This week eight individuals were arrested under suspicion related bribes accepted during commercial driver examinations occurring Kingston area along Greater Toronto Region according OPP reports today.
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“Those inspection stations perform vital functions; however we’d also prefer seeing proactive steps taken upfront ensuring regulations apply effectively towards industry itself,” said Vaugeois finally emphasizing once more “You can have laws but if they’re never enforced they don’t mean anything.”`
If discussing conditions along these critical routes specifically; Fiddler praised maintenance crews’ efforts through harsh winters while pointing out challenges faced traveling southern Ontarios’ icy stretches because snowbanks greatly reduce available maneuvering space posing risks dangerous situations arising unexpectedly occurred anytime ahead requiring swift decision making escape maneuvers rapidly executed accordingly!`
“I truly hope ministry responsible reviewing policies implemented examining contributing factors behind fatalities accidents closures aiming introduce measures enhancing protection travellers traversing these important thoroughfares” concluded him decisively expressing urgent need resolve amidst growing community unease ensuing aftermath recent events experienced recently preceding now presently!”`Source link
