tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post7402047318056877333..comments2024-02-18T20:48:07.173-08:00Comments on McMurray Musings: We Have Met The Enemy, Fort McMurrayTheresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14217715252564049451noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-32249106099538758062013-01-21T19:50:02.610-08:002013-01-21T19:50:02.610-08:00Again tonight on the way home from site on hwy 63 ...Again tonight on the way home from site on hwy 63 north of town with light snow, slippery areas- I was surprised while a mazda passed me and others and leap frogged their way into town around the traffic..... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-67857491895462111982013-01-14T11:32:37.928-08:002013-01-14T11:32:37.928-08:00I decided two years ago to better make it safe for...I decided two years ago to better make it safe for others.<br />I needed to slow down to be part of that solution that was my promise to coworkers. I now also wait and give up that next day to get out of the area. The same with comming back up here, no later than noon best around 9:00 to 9:30 from Edmonton. I get two full days a month one day evey two weeks to relax not much but its better than killing myself or others. <br /><br />I have worked hard in getting the trades a chance to leave the sites mid day not after the 12 hour shift. I have been defiant in my presistance being told we have a busness to run. <br />Life does not always go on for the ones that have paid the price. Unmfortunatly again I go to question why we do not do every thing in our power to help make it easy to ease the load or time traveled with all the facts. Still it is your own decition that may save yourself or others!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-21529537824029655672013-01-09T12:54:22.371-08:002013-01-09T12:54:22.371-08:00Well said. There is nothing technically wrong with...Well said. There is nothing technically wrong with either of the highways, when it comes right down to it. I used to drive the Fraser Canyon in BC daily, and in winter conditions and/or the thick fog that often blankets it, there is a real example of a road that is very unforgiving of mistakes. One mistake on that highway and there was a good chance you were on a one way cart wheeling trip to the river below, not just in a ditch or some muskeg. Yet there was (nor still is) anywhere near the carnage that there is on the McMurray corridors. <br /><br />It's not hard to see why though, when you see a vehicle pass you at 150kmh on a blind corner or a hill, or watch a guy constantly pulling out and passing 3-4 cars at a time with oncoming traffic visible, & depending on someone to slow down and let him in to avoid a collision. Then to see the same driver pull into a camp a few km's down the road after putting numerous lives at risk, one just shakes their head. <br /><br />These are not isolated incidents either, one usually sees this several times per trip. <br /><br />Yes twinning will lower accidents, but only because a twinned highway has a higher tolerance for stupidity, no other reason. Glen Stromquistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-84478541231672000382013-01-09T07:06:56.765-08:002013-01-09T07:06:56.765-08:00Great article - well stated and wonderfully though...Great article - well stated and wonderfully thought out. It's truly up to us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-20942793796559328402013-01-09T05:30:11.532-08:002013-01-09T05:30:11.532-08:00Indeed some will have no choice but to travel, a r...Indeed some will have no choice but to travel, a reality I do not deny. They do have a choice, however, in driving safely. That is in their control, and also a reality.McMurray Musingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-27501102790450677332013-01-08T22:42:29.944-08:002013-01-08T22:42:29.944-08:00People do have to go south for medical trips, and ...People do have to go south for medical trips, and foreign workers employed locally have to deal with bureaucracy and travel all the way to Montana to extend work visas, bad weather or not. Until we reform some of our institutions some people will have no choice.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10073479698969524186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-91987098063521483862013-01-07T20:40:03.662-08:002013-01-07T20:40:03.662-08:00So well expressed Theresa.He or she who is without...So well expressed Theresa.He or she who is without sin cast the first stone...or in this case burn the first rubber. Out highways are lethal but there are ways we can all contribute to everyone's safety; stay home if you don't need to go south in bad weather, take the Red Arrow-it's actually a relaxing way to travel or fly(if you can afford it). Regular commuters car pool-not just for environmental reasons..but also cut down on the congestion out there. My partner and I avoid driving Fridays or Sundays if we can avoid the busiest exodus.I know these all common sense solutions and I get that they're not the answer for those forced to travel for essential reasons. However, the rest of us can plan ahead and aim to travel economically.Over twenty five years ago I knew a girl with a new car who cruised 63 every weekend just for a mini metropolis get away to hang with friends..but those days are long gone, I grew up and the highway became a surreal scary path. We all have to be responsible for our own driving habits and all need to be darn considerate of others out there too.Too much blood shed lately and too many wake up calls that we're not waking up for.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06321509644398078074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-39027273942513940962013-01-07T18:37:23.410-08:002013-01-07T18:37:23.410-08:00Hear, hear and thank you for stating the truth. So...Hear, hear and thank you for stating the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts, but is a necessary evil. It makes my blood boil every time I hear "it's the road"- did the road suddenly roll up and force the vehicle off the road? No it didn't. Also, we know the majority of the drivers who frequent the highway talk about "the idiot drivers from Ft McM." Yet, most are from somewhere else, do we all leave our common sense in Edmonton prior to proceeding north? We are becoming numb and almost expect to hear about the fatalities. Today after 2 fatalities yesterday I was driving south on 63 to Mariana Lakes for my job. I turned around 1/2 way to come back due to the ice, high volume and number of people passing illegally. A tractor trailer passed at a high rate of speed, combined with the wind caused my truck to veer sideways. This happened twice. I do not believe the province can provide any number of police to monitor the highway to make a difference,there will never be enough to oversee everyone. It is up to us who travel the highway to make a concious decision to travel safely to the road conditions. Fully agreed we have all been tired or distracted or so on at one time or anther and we have been very lucky not to be included as a statistic. What is it going to take to make a difference? The province, the road, our vehicles owe us nothing - we operate them, and need to remember it is ourselves who decide "I want to arrive safe and not endanger anyone else". This should be simple, and a given, shouldn't it??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-71694474698489224452013-01-07T14:27:01.838-08:002013-01-07T14:27:01.838-08:00Part of the reason I moved away, my life was in da...Part of the reason I moved away, my life was in danger each and every time I ventured out or back to the city. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-40867983136773281582013-01-07T12:58:39.901-08:002013-01-07T12:58:39.901-08:00My husband drives that highway. And every time he ...My husband drives that highway. And every time he does, I hold my breath a little until I know he's arrived home safely at either end. That road is scary, yes, but scarier still are the drivers who are reckless and put everyone else in danger. <br /><br />Great post.Tanis the Redneck Mommyhttp://theredneckmommy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-35000643526577014942013-01-07T09:49:02.797-08:002013-01-07T09:49:02.797-08:00Beautifully put. Yes we do need to take a hard loo...Beautifully put. Yes we do need to take a hard look at our own behavior when getting behind the wheel. We have a unique everything here from the weather to amount of traffic etc but it is in our response to these conditions that are getting people killed on these highways. Sometimes we actually have to accept the facts and live within the constraints that come from these unique conditions and learn to take our time.Change starts first with ourselves. Cheers for your courage to point out the flawed thinking and for calling it though not every accident can be blamed on careless driving I am sure the percentages are very high for what is driver error.Some mistakes are very costly people are losing their lives so I am with you if you are the cause and made that mistake you need to be accountable. That's a tough one for most people to swallow though because we live in times where pass the buck is second nature. Peace live4love always thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-11262846585267332612013-01-07T08:08:36.358-08:002013-01-07T08:08:36.358-08:00What I've been saying all along... I don't...What I've been saying all along... I don't drive on 63, but my friends who do all complain about the deaths and then drive like idiots themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6586607118525088475.post-66536581920716181982013-01-07T07:58:02.321-08:002013-01-07T07:58:02.321-08:00In a long line of really good columns, this may be...In a long line of really good columns, this may be judged by history as one of your two or three best ever.Kevin Philip Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15470833555012064006noreply@blogger.com