On Wednesday February 23, 2000, the Member for Range Lake asked me if I knew the cause of a truck accident on Sunday, February 20, 2000, and whether it was attributable to the road conditions. The Member's question was very specific and called on me to make a judgment on the cause of the accident, which would have been speculation on my part.
The Department of Transportation monitors and keeps reports on the motor vehicle accidents that occur in the Northwest Territories, including municipalities, but it does not analyze or investigate accidents for the purpose of assigning a cause or causes.
The Department of Transportation received a copy of the official accident report from the Rae-Edzo detachment of the RCMP on Monday, February 28, 2000. Without implying any criticism whatsoever of the RCMP, the department received the report a week after the accident took place and three working days after the Member asked me her question in the House.
The accident occurred on Sunday morning shortly after 10:00 a.m., and involved a B-train transport hauling diesel fuel towards Yellowknife, about 15 kilometres north of Boundary Creek on Highway No. 3.
The driver reported that as he entered a left curve in the highway, he met an oncoming northbound tanker. He steered a bit too far to the right and the tractor's right front wheel caught the right shoulder of the road. The driver lost control of the truck. It left the road and rolled over 270 degrees into the ditch. The driver sustained minor injuries that were attended to at Stanton Regional Hospital.
The road surface was clear and in good condition. There was some limitation in visibility due to light snowfall. Traffic signs were in place warning of the curve ahead and advising a speed of 70 kilometres per hour. This was the speed the driver reported he was travelling. The RCMP report there are no charges pending in the incident.
Mr. Speaker, I have a second return to an oral question asked by Mr. Nitah on February 25th, 2000, referencing improving Northwest Territories highways.