PORT McNEILL, B.C. March 14, 2021 - The BC Forest Safety Council is an excellent primary source on the rules that help keep people safe on resource roads. If you're back-roading (which there is more of during COVID times) be sure to familiarize yourself with these rules and guidelines. Safety first, always.
Note, this video is informative and contains sensitive information about lived experience on Forest Resource Roads
RESOURCE ROAD SAFETY
Retrieved from the BC Forest Safety Council page on Resource Roads: Get more comprehensive information from this page. (Below is an abridged version highlighting the magnitude of this topic and some basic safety starters.)
There are over 620,000kms of resource roads across BC which are used by both industrial users and recreational users. They fall into several categories:
Forest Service Roads (FSRs)
Petroleum Development Roads (PDRs)
Private roads
Non-status roads
Wilderness roads
Spur roads
Permit roads
Resource roads are not built or maintained to public roadway standards and pose various risks. Road width, line of sight, road surface, visibility, wildlife, level of maintenance and heavy industrial traffic are only a few resource road hazards.
All resource road users are encouraged to exercise caution. Expect the unexpected. Even though there may not be active logging in the area, there may still be other industrial users such as oil & mining exploration, silviculture and forest management.
RESOURCE ROAD SAFETY TIPS:
It is critical that resource road users understand and follow resource road safety rules.
Resource Road Use Safety Tips:
Follow the rules of the road.
Drive with your headlights on at all times.
Stay on your own side of the road.
Most resource roads are radio assisted. If you have a radio, make sure you're on the right frequency and follow calling procedures. If not, follow a vehicle that has a radio.
Expect the unexpected. Always be prepared for oncoming traffic.
Have a safety check-in plan in place. There is no cell phone coverage on many of BC's resource roads.
Carry an emergency kit with you that includes food, water and a way to keep warm.
Loaded industrial vehicles ALWAYS have the right of way. You need to pull over (in a pullout if possible) and wait until the loaded vehicle is cleared.
Do not pass an industrial vehicle until that vehicle indicates that it is safe to do so. Communicate with the operator. When passing, do so with caution.
Obey all speed controls. General speed limit is 60km/hr.
Wear your seatbelt at all times
