2023-05-10 04:00:00
The death of five motorists in four years was not enough to push the authorities to modify the configuration of boulevard Martel, in Saint-Honoré, where a sixth person died this weekend.
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“I’m scared to death of that area, everyone calls it ‘Boulevard Mortel’. That has to change!”, plague Stéphane Gagnon, contacted by The newspaper.
His friend Bernard Barrette, a 47-year-old motorcyclist well known in the region (see other text), lost his life on this road which crosses the municipality north of Saguenay. He was hit by a motorist who made a left turn towards rang Saint-Marc, according to the Sûreté du Québec.
ROGER GAGNON/QMI AGENCY
Boulevard Martel, in Saint-Honoré, is called Boulevard Mortel by many citizens because of the large number of accidents that occur there. The most recent came this weekend, when a motorcyclist lost his life. Photo taken on Tuesday May 9, 2023.
The event aroused anger in the region, while this sector is too well known for its fatal accidents. Since 2018, six people have died there, including Mr. Barrette.
Photo from Bernard Barrette’s Facebook
Bernard Barrette, 47, lost his life on May 6, 2023 on boulevard Martel, in Saint-Honoré, following being hit on a motorcycle.
“We lost a great man this weekend, I will not wait to lose my son there,” says Mr. Gagnon, who launched a petition to change the configuration of the section which had collected nearly 1,000 signatures at the time. to write these lines.
Is it the fault of motorists?
Coroner Francine Danais has also recommended that the Ministry of Transport study the safety of this same intersection following a fatal collision in April 2021.
«[…] In particular with regard to the traffic density in this section and its configuration, the visibility at the approaches, as well as any other verification deemed relevant in order to […] to take all necessary corrective measures”, can we read in its report.
The mayor of Saint-Honoré, Bruno Tremblay, nevertheless affirms that it is “one of the safest roads” in Quebec. He argues that it is the behavior of motorists that is involved in the majority of accidents that have occurred.
ROGER GAGNON/QMI AGENCY
Boulevard Martel, in Saint-Honoré, is called Boulevard Mortel by many citizens because of the large number of accidents that occur there. The most recent came this weekend, when a motorcyclist lost his life. Photo taken on Tuesday May 9, 2023.
“It’s not a dangerous road, the figures show it. There are 12,000 vehicles passing through it every day. It’s regarding driving carefully,” said Mr. Tremblay.
No significant modification of the section has been made in recent years, he underlines.
provided by Stéphane Gagnon
Stéphane Gagnon launched a petition for modifications to the configuration of boulevard Martel, in Saint-Honoré. It is seen here near the crash site, where flowers were laid.
Some upcoming changes
Since the publication of the report by Me Danais in June 2022, the MTQ looked into the matter and analyzed Boulevard Martel over nearly 8 km. The study is still ongoing to this day, but some security improvements are already planned.
Lighting will be improved between Rue Fabien and Chemin de la Carrière, as well as between Chemin des Visons and Chemin des Ruisseaux. Flashing lights to signify the presence of large wildlife will be added and ground markings will be done earlier in the season.
“The addition of a traffic light or a roundregarding has been studied and it is not justified at this time. The gain in safety might be negative and cause more problems,” explains Nathalie Girard, regional spokesperson for the MTQ.
SCREENSHOT TVA NEWS/QMI AGENCY
Régis Couture lost his life on May 2, 2018 when his car crashed into a heavy weight on Boulevard Martel in Saint-Honoré.
Yet this is what many citizens of Saint-Honoré who fear for their safety are demanding.
Several victims in a short time
- May 2, 2018: Régis Couture, 55
- November 18, 2018: Annie Fortin, 43 years old
- March 30, 2019: Jessika Potvin, 20
- March 30, 2019: Rémy Villeneuve Boulianne, 22 years old
- April 22, 2021: André Larouche, 61
- May 6, 2023: Bernard Barrette, 47
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