by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan22/97) - Dogrib Rae Band Grand Chief Joe Rabesca says speeding trucks on Highway 3 are posing a threat to life and limb.

"Over the last few months several members of our community have had several brushes with near fatal disaster," wrote Rabesca in a Jan. 20 letter to Transportation Minister Jim Antoine.

The close calls were the result of trucks speeding or coming around corners on the wrong side of the road, and the degraded condition of the highway between Rae and Yellowknife, he said.

The Treaty 11 Grand Chief requested that vehicles over five tonnes be limited to a strictly enforced 60 km/h.

North Slave MLA James Rabesca raised the issue Tuesday in the legislature. "We must start reconstruction this coming summer and, in the interim, reduce speeds," he urged.

The road is now slated for reconstruction in 1998. Antoine said he had just become aware of the situation and could not yet say what actions his department might take.

"This is a legitimate concern," the minister said later. "We're in the business of keeping the highway safe, and if the chief has concerns about that we're going to take a serious look at it."

Joe Rabesca's concerns were echoed by band manager John Ivey.

"A lot of people are coming in and saying they're concerned," said Ivey. "I drive that road a lot and the chief drives it a lot and we've had these experiences."

"Our main consultant came in two days ago and said he almost had to take to the ditch (to avoid a truck)."

Ivey said the band is considering taking an active approach to regulation, recording licence plate numbers of speeders, possibly getting a radar gun and reporting infractions to the RCMP.

The operations manager for one trucking firm that uses the road said drivers caught speeding are dealt with very seriously.

"The first ticket they get a three-day suspension. The second, it's a week, and the third time, they're employment is terminated," said John Stubbs of Northwest Transport Ltd.