Traveling to Victoria from Port Renfrew on May 25 I was caught in the Sooke bridge closure due to an automobile collision.
Caught in a similar closure coming home a few years back I imagined the worst, threat of life or injury and possible bridge damage. I walked up to the accident scene and found two vehicles involved with no potential for disaster. The scene was manned by six police officers, numerous fire fighters, safety officials and others. With not much going on, an official struck up a conversation with me and told me that the delay was due to police investigation.
I returned to my vehicle, and after a couple of hours two tow trucks were allowed to go to work and the bridge was cleared in minutes. While continuing on my way I was amazed at the huge line up on the Victoria side of the bridge. I could not help but think of the hundreds of thousands of dollars cost by this delay. Think of the fuel of idling vehicles alone. Logging trucks, parts cars, taxis, buses, lumber deliveries, fuel trucks and doctors and lawyers all on the clock. Worst of all was the ambulance with full lights and siren trying to run against the new flow of Victoria bound vehicles.
My question is: do emergency response teams need to be made more aware of the need for expediency while clearing accident scenes once public safety has been assured? How can we, the public, work our way out of this recession in the shadow of such waste of government tax dollars and the inconsideration of those who have control?
What is the cost of two automobile repairs versus the income lost due to this massive public hold up? How much on scene investigation is too much in this day of digital photography and the virtual on scene video and audio available?
Peter Hovey
Port Renfrew