Drivers may have to slow down along Highway 97B in Salmon Arm after city council discussed the possibility of speed reduction.
At their Jan. 26 meeting, Salmon Arm council met with Interior Health representatives who presented the Vision Zero program and road safety.
Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison said city roads are not the most dangerous roads, noting the intersection at 10th Ave and Highway 97B. “That [intersection] is dangerous, and we’re trying to have the province consider lowering the speed limit from there until the intersection of Highway 1,” he said.
Harrison followed by asking if the health authority would support reducing Highway 97B’s speed limit, specifically lowering the limit from 90 km/h to 70 km/h.
Shianne Baines, injury prevention lead at Interior Health said they could support their efforts, saying they can help gather data and put together letters. “Many communities in the Interior have issues with the ministry’s highways going through their towns, and so we do our best to advocate on behalf of communities,” she added.
She noted the rate of injuries on the road, saying they are the causes of most hospitalizations among every age category. “In 2019, this cost Interior Health over $8 million for hospitalizations, so definitely a big burden on our health care system,” Baines said.
Despite the discussion and support from Interior Health, there is no confirmation of the speed reduction along Highway 97B in Salmon Arm.
