When former B.C. highways minister Phil Gaglardi got caught speeding, his response was: 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 driving too fast. I was flying too low.鈥�
The current transportation minister, caught in a similar situation, was a little more contrite.
鈥淎s minister, I must set a better example and this was unacceptable,鈥� Todd Stone told the Times 91原创 after receiving a $196 ticket for speeding on the Pat Bay Highway on the way to the ferry a few weeks ago. 鈥淪econd, I can assure you I will learn from this; I need to be more careful and it won鈥檛 happen again.鈥�
While Gaglardi鈥檚 response was the more colourful one, Stone鈥檚 was the correct one. His comments surrounding legislation regarding slower drivers in the left lane might have led people to believe he favours speeding, but he assures us he doesn鈥檛.
鈥淲hether you are elected or not, you should be driving to or below the posted speed limits, not beyond them,鈥� he said.
Mistake made, mistake acknowledged, time to move on. Who among us hasn鈥檛 fudged the posted speed limit now and then?
Besides, it鈥檚 comforting to realize that the transportation minister is out using the highway and ferry systems. He thus has first-hand knowledge of road conditions, traffic and ferry travel, unlike some of his legislative colleagues who usually fly to and from the mainland.
We encourage Stone to stay in touch with his responsibilities by continuing to use the highways, but perhaps at a little lower speed.
