Re: Better signage wanted on dangerous Gillespie Road (Letters, Oct. 19)
People rarely crash on Gillespie road, even on the infamous “who’s next” corner the writer mentioned. Perhaps the writer phrased her concern poorly, but it seems like she thinks people not only crash, but die frequently on Gillespie.
To my knowledge, nobody has ever died in a motor vehicle accident on Gillespie Road. The road has plenty of signage; there are reflective pylons on every corner.
The issue isn’t a lack of signage or even lighting. The issue is that people overrate their driving abilities, misjudge road conditions, or drive vehicles that are in no condition to be on the road.
Nobody is crashing because they’re caught off-guard by a corner. Having a sign warning of an upcoming corner will not cause these drivers to come upon the sudden clarification that they are not Ayrton Senna. If a sign costs roughly $500, why waste the money when it won’t change anything?
Look at the corner by the 17 Mile Pub at the Gillespie and Sooke road intersection. People crash here frequently despite several warning signs in both directions.
The crash rate hasn’t been reduced there thanks to the installation of those signs. What makes the letter-writer be believe signs will help on Gillespie?
The only thing that will reduce crash rates on, not just Gillespie, but all roads will be when people learn how to drive.
Nervous drivers crash at low speeds and reckless drivers crash at high speeds. Nobody is crashing because they didn’t know a corner was coming.
Landon Kelley
Sooke