Highway crashes in RCMP jurisdiction claimed the lives of 14 people between January 1st and July 15th of this year.
Road closures as the result of serious collisions on the Trans Canada Highway this summer have some drivers asking why some investigations take longer than others.
There have been a high number of fatal collisions on the provinces highways this year. From moose to vehicle collisions, the toll on the highways this year has been grim.
Many recent incidents resulted in extended highway closures as emergency responders attended to the scene and investigators conducted their work.
Traffic backed up at a crash scene in August (submitted)
In some cases, no detour was available, resulting in lengthy backlogs.
RCMP say they recognize that highway closures can be frustrating, and a decision to close the highway is never taken lightly.
Road closures are necessary for the safety of first responders and to allow investigators to do their work. Each collision scene is assessed and while designated detours are considered, they’re not always possible say police.
According to the RCMP, additional delays may be necessary to allow for debris or damaged vehicles to be removed or hazardous fluids cleaned up. That process can be complicated by larger debris fields, the recovery process, spilled cargo and the potential for fuel or other environmental contamination.
