Castanet

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/83851/Deadly-stretch-of-road-now-safer

Am I the only one, or even one of a very few that really gets my pantalons in a bunch over the ridiculous spending WE allow and fund in order to protect...in order to protect...

Improvements designed to make McKinley Road safer have now been complete.

The city spent more than $450,000 to improve the road, the only arterial link between McKinley Landing and Glenmore,

Who are we protecting?
Are we protecting those who do not take every step to protect themselves?
Why are we not protecting the MANY people in this fine <smirk> city that are facing unsafe conditions every night of their lives?
Why don't we see fit to spend those funds on boosting the standard of acceptable living conditions for those who desperately need our help?
Instead, one...sometimes two...people die over the course of decades, and we "see fit" to spend wads of cashola (nearly half a million in this case) to "protect" others from meeting the same fate...someday...likely years from now...
Yet we turn a blind eye to the immediacy that the forgotten few face.

I've driven down this road countless times, and have always enjoyed the drive...at a reasonable pace. The turns were not dangerous. The lack of ugly, intrusive, and offensive concrete barriers and the meandering asphalt leading down to a fantastic community was always a treat. Either direction had its merits and a stop along the reservoir was a pleasant stopping point to enjoy the puffins and scenery.

Now, as with so many roadways that offered such pleasantries, our money is being spent to ruin those qualities in trade for protecting the minute numbers of people that have an issue with driving on a road with minimal challenges.

McKinley road was not a dangerous stretch of road. It was only a deadly stretch of road because someone died there.
That pretty much opens up the term for use on every corner, sharp curve and winding narrow road around the globe. They're almost all deadly after some time.

Councillor, Mohini Singh spearheaded the move

Thanks Mo.
Not.

It's a sad fact that a life was lost on the curve by the reservoir, but let's be realistic. If this person was unable to keep control of their car on this stretch...for whatever reason...then is it not safe to assume it was only a matter of time when they were bound to find an accident to get into. The dark point to make, is that were it not for this dramatic ending, it could have been worse. It could have been a head-on with another car...one with a sick kid, a dying veteran and Oprah onboard.

I know...it's a dead horse.
Any one else care to beat on this stinking carcass?
<holds out Louisville Slugger>

Now matter how much money is spent you can't fix stupid, councilors and drivers.
And remember paying for more firefighters and fire halls to really save lives is too expensive for us.

Good to see you back, Graham.

I'll take that Slugger out of your hands.

People are stupid. And lazy. And willful. And irresponsible. And they die because of that. Then all the other stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people come out screaming because they need Mommy to protect all their stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible offspring from themselves. So Mommy spends a bunch of money and pats herself on the back for being such a good mommy. And the stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people and their brats continue on their merry way knowing they won't have to change into intelligent, resourceful, responsible, law-abiding people. All is good now in their world.

Passing the Louisville to the next person ...

grammafreddy wrote:Good to see you back, Graham.

I'll take that Slugger out of your hands.

People are stupid. And lazy. And willful. And irresponsible. And they die because of that. Then all the other stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people come out screaming because they need Mommy to protect all their stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible offspring from themselves. So Mommy spends a bunch of money and pats herself on the back for being such a good mommy. And the stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people and their brats continue on their merry way knowing they won't have to change into intelligent, resourceful, responsible, law-abiding people. All is good now in their world.

Passing the Louisville to the next person ...

This is probably the most intelligent and correct statement Ive ever read on Castanet.
Except for the Gray Ham part. J/K

...have a good read of this post from just a couple of days ago you heartless bunch of keyboard wholier-than-thou's...put your own daughter/sister/mother/ family member in their place and let's see you talk so tough and smug...of course, none of you have ever made a mistake, let alone one that cost you your life...what's it like to be so friggin' superior and perfect?... ...pathetic...

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=47641

If you were running for council I can see it now: Slogan "We won't improve anything, you just have to slow down!!"
You should start campaigning to halt the Hwy 33 & Big White Rd improvements before it goes to tender ... after all, nothing tragic has happened there lately so that makes it even less "required" to receive an upgrade.

Swoop wrote:...have a good read of this post from just a couple of days ago you heartless bunch of keyboard wholier-than-thou's...put your own daughter/sister/mother/ family member in their place and let's see you talk so tough and smug...of course, none of you have ever made a mistake, let alone one that cost you your life...what's it like to be so friggin' superior and perfect?... ...pathetic...

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=47641

The internet makes them brave. They would not say this to the faces of the grieving family and friends.

So brave, so anonymous, so very perfect.

Swoop wrote: none of you have ever made a mistake, let alone one that cost you your life...

Obviously we have never made a mistake that cost us our life , and I never have nor ever will I expect others to waste 1/2 a million dollars needlessly for any mistake I or another makes due to not using common sense.

kumazatheef wrote: you just have to slow down!!"

That sounds like pretty good advice to me.

How many people have driven this road over all the years it has been there? And only two people have died? Now, that may not say anything to you but it does to me - those two people did something they should not have done. If thousands of others can do it (many daily) then what makes these two any different?

If people are saying it is a treacherous road, then perhaps the treachery comes not from the road but from their driving habits.

So, slow down. Plan better, leave earlier, put the cell phone away, pay attention to the road and the weather, whatever.

joer2012 wrote:
The internet makes them brave. They would not say this to the faces of the grieving family and friends.

So brave, so anonymous, so very perfect.

Sure I would - and I have.

It goes like this ... "I am so sorry to hear XXX has passed away. You are going to miss her. I told her so many times to just slow down on that piece of road. I hope some other young person learns something from XXX's mistake and doesn't bring such sorrow to their family, too. It's never easy." Hugz for all.

Canada averages 4,000 road fatalities a year.
I dont blame the roads.
I blame drivers.
GF is right. IMO, throwing money on already good roads just helps to keep stupid people stupid.
Piloting 2 tons of steel isnt something people should be complacent with, even under ideal conditions.

grammafreddy wrote:That sounds like pretty good advice to me.

How many people have driven this road over all the years it has been there? And only two people have died? Now, that may not say anything to you but it does to me - those two people did something they should not have done. If thousands of others can do it (many daily) then what makes these two any different?

If people are saying it is a treacherous road, then perhaps the treachery comes not from the road but from their driving habits.

So, slow down. Plan better, leave earlier, put the cell phone away, pay attention to the road and the weather, whatever.

Are you serious??

Don't get me wrong I'm all for encouraging people to drive appropriately and frustrated at the inappropriate drivers, and if necessary then yes, actually slow down.
... but you can't honestly say that improving a road is a bad idea? You can point to any road in the Okanagan and foolishly make the argument that the road shouldn't be improved because "it's good enough" ... I mean, why put up barriers? why put in a median? why do any road safety changes?

kumazatheef wrote: I mean, why put up barriers? why put in a median? why do any road safety changes?

Because Mommy is looking after stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people who don't know enough or care enough to travel according to road conditions, maybe?

Roads and vehicles don't kill people - people do.

Babbitman wrote:Canada averages 4,000 road fatalities a year.
I dont blame the roads.
I blame drivers.
GF is right. IMO, throwing money on already good roads just helps to keep stupid people stupid.
Piloting 2 tons of steel isnt something people should be complacent with, even under ideal conditions.

Sure, drive to the conditions and the roads ... but there are other people driving as well ... so is it my fault if you run in to me?

Oh, by the way Coquihalla Hway says "hi" ... so do the Hwy 33 upgrades ... as does the upgrade through Lake Country ...

grammafreddy wrote:Because Mommy is looking after stupid, lazy, willful and irresponsible people who don't know enough or care enough to travel according to road conditions, maybe?

Roads and vehicles don't kill people - people do.

So by that logic seat belts are a waste of money? Why should I wear my seat belt if I'm extra careful, drive the limit, and according to the conditions?