Yellowknife (May 07/03) - While the RCMP is getting ready for its annual road safety blitz, it's a year-long battle for trucking companies.

During National Road Safety Week, May 12-19, the RCMP will focus on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users at risk.

Road safety should always be a concern for drivers, but for trucking companies, it is paramount to their operations.

And because they are on the road so much, they see the difficulties faced on Northern roads on a daily basis.

"The situation has improved, but we need more," said John Johansen, president of the trucking association and manager of Grimshaw Trucking. "And it will happen as road from Rae to Yellowknife is being paved."

The road is currently gravel but should be completely paved over a two year period.

Another issue Johansen would like to see dealt with is drinking and driving.

"It is currently under legislation for a change and that should help," he said.

Improvements and challenges

Johansen isn't the only one who has seen changes for the better.

"We've seen vast improvements in the territorial highway infrastructure over the last 35 years but there are still some challenges," said Janet Robinson, Risks Manager with RTL Robinson Enterprises LTD here in Yellowknife.

She pointed to dusty gravel surfaces, narrow and windy sections and soft shoulders as examples.

"These continue to present challenges to transport drivers in the North, particularly when tourist traffic increases during the summer," Robinson said.

Norm Pottinger, a truck driver and a teacher at the Arctic Defensive Driving School, noted that the roads aren't that bad either and agreed they are getting better.

"Some need repairs but what can you do about it. They're spending money on new roads instead of fixing the old ones," he said, referring to the government.

But it's not just road conditions that pose road hazards, drivers can sometimes be a problem.

"By driving according to conditions and only passing when it is absolutely safe to do so, drivers can greatly reduce road hazards," Robinson said.

Pottinger noted that speed is a major issue.

"Some people drive too fast when roads are icy and slippery," he said.

Wildlife is also a problem, with buffalo presenting an increasing risk on Highway 3, Robinson added.

As for city driving, Robinson reminded the public that trucks may require a wider turning radius and increased stopping distance.

In order to cut down on accidents, Pottinger suggested drivers keep their eyes on the road.

"Good vision is seeing where you're going. If you see a pothole fast enough, you have time to slow down or avoid it. Speed has to match vision," he said.