A consulting firm says sight lines are among several safety concerns at the rural intersection where the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash happened.
A 70-page safety review done for the Saskatchewan government issued 13 recommendations to improve traffic safety at the intersection, including examining whether the government can negotiate with private property owners to remove trees the authors say obstruct the view of drivers approaching from the south and east – the same directions the bus and semi-trailer were coming from when they collided.
Sixteen people died and 13 others were injured in the collision at the intersection north of Tisdale on April 6.
The RCMP have charged the truck’s driver with 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily injury.
The review notes that because Sidhu’s charges are still before the court, police would not discuss causes of the crash.
Recommended improvements:
- Various sign‐related enhancements
- Install “Stop” and “Stop Ahead” pavement markings
- Tree removal on private property
- Construct new roadside memorial access road
- Remove gravel road
- Install railway signals on breakaway bases (if required)
- Install light standards on breakaway bases (if required)
- Mill rumble strips on Highway 335 approaches
- Install larger “Stop” and “Stop Ahead” signs
- Paint solid center line on Highway 35 and Highway 335
- Realign grain elevator access to Highway 335
- Widen shoulders
- Realign power lines
The Canadian Trucking Alliance and the provincial trucking associations continue to work with governments across Canada to improve truck and traffic safety, including implementing mandatory entry-level training for new truck drivers; making it more difficult for non-compliant operators to stay and remerge in the industry; and ensuring electronic logging devices (ELDs) take effect in each province as soon as possible, among other safety policies and initiatives.