District of Peachland staff and council continue to push the province to improve safety along Highway 97 through the community.

Black Press Media spoke to District CAO, Joe Creron, after a fatal collision on Drought Hill the evening of Jan. 25.

91裸聊视频淔irst, let me say on behalf of the district and council and our community, our sincere condolences to the family,91裸聊视频� said Creron.

READ MORE: One dead in two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near Peachland

91裸聊视频淲e have concerns about the safety of our highway and the district has been asking for a reduction in speed. I91裸聊视频檓 not sure if that would have been the determining factor in the collision that happened last night.91裸聊视频�

Creron added that, in the last two weeks, the district again requested a meeting with the minister of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI).

He noted the district has received several complaints from the community about speeding, and that the ministry has been reluctant to reduce speed limits on the highway.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 one of the reasons why our mayor has requested a meeting.91裸聊视频�

Creron said the district would like to see lower and variable speeds starting from the Highway 97/97C interchange, all the way through Peachland.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to leave that up to the traffic experts as well as safety, but we will probably give our advice,91裸聊视频� he explained.

The district has been asking MOTI for years to reduce speed limits, and the ministry has provided plans to improve safety at several intersections along the highway.

91裸聊视频淲hich is fantastic, they91裸聊视频檙e improving safety,91裸聊视频� said Creron. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not satisfied with all their designs91裸聊视频�but the intent is to improve safety.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Peachland council asks for reduced speed limits

91裸聊视频淲e also want to say to the minister you have great plans but no budget. You don91裸聊视频檛 have to do it all at once but let91裸聊视频檚 see what we can do to slowly improve safety.91裸聊视频�

According to statistics provided by ICBC, there have been more than 180 crashes between the Highway 97/97C interchange to Hardy Road at Antlers Beach from 2017 to 2022.

More than 150 of those resulted in injuries or fatalities.

Creron added that council also wants to keep the potential for a bypass route around Peachland in front of MOTI.

91裸聊视频淲e want to make sure we keep talking about that because it91裸聊视频檚 an important part of this whole safety plan.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Peachland bypass delay called 91裸聊视频榙isappointing91裸聊视频�