Watch for the signs along the Sea to Sky Highway when heading up to Whistler.
Mayor Patricia Heintzman and Jordan Sturdy, MLA for Sea to Sky, were on the side of Highway 99 near Alice Lake Thursday morning for an official announcement of the installation of variable speed limit signs, a provincial government project worth $12.5 million, according to the province.
Sixteen variable speed signs have been installed along Highway 99 from Squamish to Function Junction.
The digital signs show a speed limit that adjusts to reflect driving conditions.
“Many highways in B.C. pass through different climate zones, and the Sea to Sky Highway is no exception,” said West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Sturdy. “Motorists that drive Highway 99 are familiar with rapidly changing weather conditions, where it is not uncommon to experience sunny and dry conditions, as well as rain, sleet or a full-blown snowstorm somewhere along the way. These signs alert drivers to the need to adjust their speed to current conditions.”
The signs have also been installed along Highway 1 near Revelstoke and on the Coquihalla Highway, a government news release stated.
The goal is for drivers to slow down when the conditions require it, according to the RCMP.
Recent changes to the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act regulations allow police to enforce the speeds posted on variable signs.
“Speeding is the leading cause of fatal car crashes in our province,” said chief constable Neil Dubord, chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Seven out of ten speed-related crashes are related to driving too fast for the road conditions. Police across B.C. are urging drivers to be alert, slow down and adjust their driving for the conditions.”
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