3 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

A viral photo of a police cruiser blocking a runaway ramp on Highway 1 in Kamloops, British Columbia has caused outrage among the trucking community. The photo, which was first shared online on July 20, 2023, has been widely circulated on social media and has sparked calls for action to be taken to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. Runaway ramps are critical safety features on highways that help prevent accidents involving runaway vehicles. When a vehicle loses control and begins to pick up speed, the driver can use the runaway ramp to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. However, if the ramp is blocked, it becomes useless and can lead to catastrophic consequences.

The BC Highway Patrol has confirmed that blocking a runaway lane is illegal under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. Cpl. Mike Moore emphasized the importance of runaway lanes and urged drivers to be aware of their surroundings. The trucking community has expressed disbelief at the officer's lack of situational awareness in the viral photo. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage and call for action to be taken to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.

As the investigation into the incident continues, it is hoped that measures will be put in place to prevent such accidents from happening in the future. The trucking community and all road users deserve to feel safe on our highways, and we must all work together to make this a reality. It is crucial that all drivers, including law enforcement officers, are aware of their surroundings and take steps to ensure that critical safety features like runaway ramps are always accessible in case of an emergency.