Oct 24 - 100+ distracted drivers in four days

Good morning !

The leaves, they are a-changin’. Fall is bringing out some incredible colours throughout our local tree canopies and we’re wondering where you go to see fall foliage in Greater Victoria. Let us know where your go-to spots are and feel free to share pictures to [email protected] or by replying to this email.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 10 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 10 / 9

Saturday: 🌧️ 12 / 9

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NEWS

Rapid transit gets priority on McKenzie Corridor in new plan

Saanich council is moving forward with a draft of its Quadra-McKenzie Plan, which includes significant changes to the busy corridor, including reducing parts of McKenzie to one lane in each direction between Hwy 17 and UVic to accommodate rapid transit.

“The Draft Plan proposes maintaining McKenzie as a four-lane road, but portions of some lanes will be transitioned to transit only over the long term, as dictated by ridership demand,” a Saanich spokesperson said in an email to Capital Daily.

Some sections of the McKenzie Corridor would have an added lane, running alongside vehicle traffic, for mixed use (vehicles and buses), while other sections—between Saanich Road and Cedar Hill Cross Road, and between Oakwoods and Gordon Head Road—would have a rapid bus-only lane running next to the drivers’ lane in each direction. Bike lanes would be off the road, running parallel to sidewalks.

In line with Saanich’s Official Community Plan (OCP), the district is looking to create multiple 15-minute communities along both McKenzie and Quadra, with plans to increase housing and commercial builds in the area. The McKenzie-Quadra plan outlines proposed corridors and transit hubs that will provide shopping necessities and bus exchanges to “improve access to daily needs,” according to the planning documents.

“It’s important to note that the final plan has not been submitted and there are still lots of ways to provide feedback on specific aspects,” the district said.

Residents can take part in an online survey that runs through Nov. 26, along with an in-person open house and webinars.

The official plan proposal is slated for release next spring, followed shortly by a public hearing. Roughly 2K people have taken part in the engagement process so far, according to Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock who says both corridors are a top priority for the region, with McKenzie acting as one of the longest continuous east-west corridors and Quadra as a major connector north to south. Murdock said changes to the two corridors will shape the future of Saanich in the coming years.

“These are truly major vital corridors,” said Murdock during the council meeting. “It’s a significant undertaking.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Saanich Advisory Committee applications are due Oct. 25. [Online application]

Last day to apply to be the next Poet Laureate for Victoria. [Details]

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NEWS

Over 100 distracted driving tickets issued in four days

Under BC’s Motor Vehicle Act, the fine if caught using a cellphone while driving is $368—but that’s a pittance compared with the pain, anguish, and guilt you can cause a family and yourself if you hit someone while you’re checking out the hockey scores or whatever it was that was so important.

Between Oct. 8-11, 100+ drivers got nailed—but maybe also got off lucky—when BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) officers issued tickets to distracted drivers at intersections in Victoria, Saanich, and the Westshore.

“During these targeted campaigns, officers issued tickets for drivers using their cellphones, not wearing their seatbelts, and running red lights,” RCMP said in a release.

Receiving a ticket as a reminder of the huge responsibility each driver has to keep others safe, sure beats the tragic consequences that could occur, one would think, yes?

On Vancouver Island, two children walking or cycling are killed and 47 are injured in crashes every year. In school and playground zones, seven children are injured in crashes each year.

These grim statistics ICBC shares are reminders to drivers that it becomes even more crucial to pay extra attention when driving in the fall because the kids are back at school, so they’ll be crossing streets.

And now that we’re fully ensconced in fall’s late daytime darkness—and it’ll get darker even earlier when we slip back to Standard Time, not this Sun., but next—paying attention when it’s not nearly as bright and the roads often are not dry is paramount. 

The ICBC stats suggest that close to half (42%) of crashes involving pedestrians occur between Oct. and Jan. as weather and visibility worsen.

Based on a five-year average from 2018-2022, 359 children (aged 5-18) are injured in crashes while walking or riding their bike in BC every year. According to ICBC, if the averages hold out, six Victoria children will be injured in a crash while walking or cycling this year.

Sobering stats. And that’s not even getting into drinking and driving.

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🎭 Open House: Rock Bay Square Arts & Industry. [Info]

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🗞️ In Other News

1 dead in weekend apartment building fire in Esquimalt
The blaze broke out Sat. morning on the third floor at the Selkirk Shores on Selkirk, with flames shooting from the balcony and extending up toward the fourth. Some 66 tenants were forced to leave—some were later put up in hotels—as 16 firefighters from Esquimalt, CFB Esquimalt and Victoria doused the flames. Details about the death have not been made available although VicPD said it was not suspicious. [CHEK]

8 vehicles ‘keyed’ Sunday night in Oak Bay
The vandalism happened within the 1200, 1500, and 1600 blocks of Monterey, and the Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) said it caused “significant damage.” Police think one person was responsible but they don’t “have a clear description of the suspect” so they’re checking out CCTV footage and looking for eyewitnesses. If you have information, please call the OBPD at 250-592-2424 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers using 1-800-222-TIPS. [OBPD]

Gas line breach forces road closures, snarls traffic on Admirals
A stretch between Esquimalt and Woodway was closed for much of the afternoon after a gas leak was reported a little after 12pm. Fortis BC told CHEK News an “external party” damaged the gas line. No evacuations were called, but some residents were advised to shelter in place. Crews got it repaired quickly, as drivers were told to avoid the congested area. Fortis BC says it’s a perfect reminder why it’s best to contact BC 1 Call before doing any digging. [Times Colonist]

More than 1,700 goldfish removed from Campbell River pond
It took two weeks to gather the invasive species—the fish were introduced by people releasing the common pet down storm drains—from Erikson Pond. The city had to drain the pond, relocating newts and salamanders during the process, in order to remove the fish. The species is highly reproductive—releasing up to 150K eggs each summer—making it imperative to remove the species entirely. [Campbell River Mirror]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍜 Super Bowls of Hope: Enjoy lunch at the Union Club today and help raise funds to support vulnerable and at-risk youth. 11am-3pm. [Info]

👠 Rocky Horror: A Drag Show: Experience an all-drag cast performance of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Metro Studio Theatre. Tonight through Sun. [Info]

🎨 Halloween Paint Night: Reserve your spot for a hauntingly creative Halloween paint night at The Crooked Goose Smokehouse tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🍷 Winemaker's Dinner Series Grand Finale: Raise a glass to celebrate outstanding British Columbia winemaking at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Brandon Isaak: Join the Yukon-born songster performing a mixture of thoughtful, humorous, spiritual, and catchy songs at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 The Last Roundup: Join one of the fundraising concerts for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank at Mary Winspear Centre. Tonight through Sun. 7:30pm. [Info]

🤣 Jim Jefferies and Jimmy Carr: Two standup heavyweights will have you rolling in the aisles at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Sat. 7:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: UVic targets coffee cup overuse;  Janevca grand opening in Esquimalt; Jordan Peterson coming to Vic; And more. [Oct. 23]

Goats at YYJ: brought in to eat invasive plants: [Black Press]

Central Saanich intersection where cyclist was killed didn’t have a trained flagger, police say. [Times Colonist]

Convicted murderer believed to be in Victoria. [VicPD]

See the beautiful plumage of a male wood duck swimming at Royal Roads University. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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