Vancouver, British Columbia – More sunshine and a long holiday weekend traditionally means more road trips to enjoy B.C. forests, lakes and backcountry. Western Forest Products (“Western”) is launching a road safety awareness campaign this Victoria Day weekend, promoting responsible and respectful driving on its forest service roads on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
“At Western, safety is a core value and we are committed to fostering a safe and healthful work environment. The desire to have people go home safely each day extends to the motorists who choose to travel the industrial roads through Western’s tenures,” said Mary Forster, Western’s Director of Health and Safety.
“We actively work with B.C. communities to ensure recreation areas within our tenures are accessible to the public. It’s a natural extension of our commitment to safety to encourage travelers to practice responsible driving as they use industrial roads to access camping, hiking and backcountry activities,” said Forster.
Motorists may encounter Western employees on select roads this Victoria Day weekend, as well as future
holiday weekends in 2022. Employees will be available to offer safe driving tips for the industrial roads, and answer related questions, as appropriate. Drivers are asked to slow down through the safety campaign areas, which will be well-marked with signage upon approach. No traffic disruptions are anticipated.
TOP 5 SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR INDUSTRIAL ROADS:
1. Follow all posted speed limits and allow ample space between you and other motorists. The
increased volume in traffic over the holidays may require unexpected and quick braking.
2. Slow down and use caution on corners, especially those with limited visibility due to trees or other
obstacles. A large industrial vehicle or wildlife may be just around the bend.
3. Ensure your vehicle is well-prepared for long stretches of rough roads: gas up, get the engine tuned
up, and utilize tires that are appropriate for the road conditions.
4. Expect the unexpected. Even the best-prepared vehicles break down or get stuck, and drivers with
the best sense of direction can get lost on backroads. Carry an emergency travel kit, even in the
summer, with essentials like first aid materials, blankets, water, matches, and a shovel and an axe.
5. Always yield to industrial traffic, obey signage and flag people. It’s the law that industrial traffic has
the right of way on service roads, and it’s in the public’s best safety interest to take the time to slow
down, pull over, and allow ample room for commercial vehicles to pass.
For additional road information, visit http://www.wfproadinfo.com/.
About Western Forest Products Inc.
Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to
compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.0 billion board feet from seven sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.
For further information, please contact:
Babita Khunkhun
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
(604) 648-4562