Ignoring warnings

PORT AUX BASQUES Const. Shawn Skinner is at a loss to understand why tractor-trailer drivers continue to try to cross the Wreckhouse area during high-wind conditions, despite all the warnings that are in place.

Port aux Basques RCMP responded to yet another overturned tractor-trailer in the Wreckhouse area on Wednesday night, with winds gusting to 122 km/h at the time.

Two men were removed from the truck with the assistance of the Port aux Basques Volunteer Fire Department, then taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Although most incidents in which tractor-trailers blow over result only in injuries, Skinner fears there will be a fatality when one of these rigs topples.

He finds it difficult to understand why drivers ignore wind warnings in the area, especially with the recurring theme of trucks being blown over on the two-kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway that is famous for its high winds.

While smaller vehicles usually get through unscathed, it’s high-sided vehicles that normally blow off the road and end up in the ditch on their sides.

Skinner said the majority of the drivers who take the chance in high-wind conditions are not local to the area. He said it’s amazing that, at times, there are 20 or more tractor-trailers parked at the former Irving gas station at Doyles and another driver will pass by and attempt to make it through the Wreckhouse.

He said there are numerous weather warnings, which start 24 hours prior to the winds coming up, and two digital signs have been posted on the highway — one at Mollychignic Brook, about 16 kilometres east of the Wreckhouse, and another in Port aux Basques, giving drivers ample opportunity to pull off and wait out the winds.

There are two warnings posted on the signs: one warns of winds of more than 80 km/h advising tractor-trailers to pull off the road; another advises of winds of more than 100 km/h advising all vehicles to pull over.

While the number of accidents has decreased since the signs have been erected, there are still those who ignore them.

“Drivers continue to put themselves and others at risk by attempting to drive through this area during times of high winds,” Skinner said.

Another factor is that even if the driver gets though without incident, he or she will likely have to wait anyway since the majority of the times when there are Wreckhouse wind warnings, the Marine Atlantic ferry won’t sail because of high winds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Since Feb. 17, three tractor-trailers have left the road in the Codroy Valley area, with high winds blamed for each of these incidents.

“Common sense is a big part of it and all we can do is remind motorists to check weather conditions prior to travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway, especially in the Wreckhouse area,” Skinner said.

fgale@thewesternstar.com

david: - February 22, 2013 at 17:36:08

The reason that a driver might ill-advisedly ignore warnings, other than that he may simply not have that luxury of choice in his schedule, id that he may simply not quite beleive that any civilized, normal place in North America would have a singualr highway route that is subject to such insane conditions. Other places commonly issue "warnings" about conditions...strictly for liability reasons vis a vis the most ignorant, unthinking, common sense-deprived portion of a population. The "stupidity" here is the government not re-routing.....either move the ferry destination to a different town, or move the G.D. road so it doesn't go through that "wind tunnel" ....it's the only access point to get across the island.....duh!

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Todd: - February 22, 2013 at 16:26:40

Not so sure how PAB would feel about the only economic engine their towns has moving to either Stephenville or Corner Brook. Maybe government can look at something for Stephenville other than welfare to fill the gap of their mill and possibly look at more than building a hospital in CB to cover the soon to come loss of that town's mill. I think this is more of the high number of truck drivers who feel they own the roads.

Shawn: - February 22, 2013 at 11:30:55

I'm sure there are some cases of pure stupidity but I can tell you from experience, some company drivers are told to get that trailer here no matter what. If they sit and the trailer is late, they lose their jobs. If they leave and lose the load due to an accident, they also lose their jobs. Been there and done that and I can tell you that alot of companies would rather lose the load, than have it a day or two late. I think that stretch of road should be closed at times rather than warnings. The ultimate solution, the one Government refuses to look at regardless of logic, is to take the Marine Atlantic station out of P.A.B and relocate it to either Stephenville or here in Corner Brook.

Rod: - February 22, 2013 at 08:27:31

Like the Confederation Bridge to PEI., when the winds reach a certain speed they close it down to high sided vehicles. It's not just the drivers of these rigs but the smaller vehicles which they can fall on. VOID THEIR INSURANCE if they don't obey the signs. They not only cost a lot of money but then delay the drivers who have waited out the storm while the scene is being cleared.

shar: - February 22, 2013 at 07:52:23

Its a case of stupidity, we see it all the time on roads. Unfortunately truck drivers are no different.. Maybe when the winds are so high, close the roads and then if they try to run thru, their insurance isn't covered.