The Editor,
Re. “Please, just slow down on Barnet” (Letters, The Tri-City News, June 3).
I would like to add my comments to the letter published last Wednesday regarding the public speedway that is the Barnet Highway.
Like the letter writer, I, too, frequently travel this highway and it is getting worse by the day. The posted speed limit is 80 km/h, down to 60 and down to 50 before reaching Hastings Street in Burnaby.
There is absolutely no rhyme or reason as to how fast the majority of drivers are going. I usually try to stay at the posted limit to keep up with the flow of traffic and every single day, cars and other vehicles pass me as if I were standing still.
If there is no opportunity for some of these drivers to pass, they proceed to do one of two things: Get right on your bumper and blow the horn, and pass where it is extremely dangerous to do so, let alone illegal.
I have called the Port Moody Police Department and Burnaby department of the RCMP on several occasions asking that more officers be assigned to this stretch at peak times but rarely do I see any of them.
Most young drivers today have no fear of injuring themselves or others and have seemingly no regard for life. I worry about my own family, our grandchildren, my husband and friends being killed on this stretch of highway, where the reckless drivers seem to know they can get away with whatever they choose to.
Tailgating is another big problem. I fully agree with the writer R.A. Yule of Port Coquitlam, if these reckless, irresponsible, inconsiderate individuals wish to kill themselves, all the more power to them — one less horrible driver to worry about — but do not injure or kill innocent people who abide by the rules and think of others.
As well, in this area, many people drive while talking on their cell phones. Why? Because they know there is no one to catch them.
The common-sense answer to me would be: catch them, whack them with a hefty fine — $1,000 to $2,000 — impound their vehicle for one month, and add points to their licences. Let’s not wait until there is yet another tragic accident.
Gayle K. Shaw, Coquitlam
