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Canadian Road Safety News Digest – July 1-31, 2019
August 16, 2019 | Categories: Quick Scan
ICBC kicks off recruitment for Techpilot project for less experienced drivers
July 30, 2019, ICBC (NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.)
ICBC is taking the next step into telematics research with a one-year pilot project—this time recruiting as many as 7,000 drivers to see if technology can improve their driving and make B.C. roads safer.
Drivers can sign-up today to join the pilot which starts in November. If you have less than four years driving experience, either in the novice stage of the Graduated Licensing Program or with your full licence, you're eligible to join.
Speed cameras now active in 5 B.C. intersections, 30 more to roll out by next year
July 29, 2019, Global News (VICTORIA, B.C.)
The B.C. Government is confident it can win any legal challenge against new speed cameras, five of which were activated Monday.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the province’s lawyers are certain the intersection cameras will not face the same issues as the controversial photo radar program did.
Vision Zero: Would it work in Ottawa
July 27, 2019, Ottawa Sun (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
Cyclist deaths and calls for a future without them go hand-in-hand in Ottawa these days. After every tragic incident, from the fatal collision with a truck that killed Nusrat Jahan in 2016 to the Tuesday death of 13-year-old Simon Peter Khouri after his bike was hit by a car in Orléans, community advocates have cried out for Vision Zero.
The number of drug impaired diving offences have risen significantly in the province since 2008.
July 26, 2019, MADD Canada (OAKVILLE, ONTARIO)
Data released by Statistics Canada Monday shows the number of drug impaired driving offences in Saskatchewan increased in 2018 — and has been climbing steadily overall since 2008.
In 2008, 4.2 offences occurred per 100,000 people. In 2017, that number was 18.86 and in 2018 it rose to 21.6.
A representative from Statistics Canada wasn’t able to confirm if the legalization of cannabis last October might have something to do with the increase between 2017 and 2018 but said it’s possible that it’s a factor. The data only looks at all drug impaired offences, not just cannabis.
Government of Canada invests $11.5 million to keep Quebec's roads safe from drug-impaired drivers
July 17, 2019, Newswire (TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC)
Reducing impaired driving increases road safety, saves lives and eliminates preventable injuries each year. The Government of Canada is providing law enforcement with access to new technologies, more resources and the training needed to detect and prosecute drug-impaired drivers. If you consume cannabis in any form, do not drive. Find an alternative means of transportation.
Government of Canada invests $2 million to keep Yukon's roads safe from drug-impaired drivers
July 16, 2019, Newswire (WHITEHORSE, YUKON)
While drug-impaired driving has been illegal in Canada for more than 90 years, too many irresponsible individuals continue to put many lives at risk by driving impaired. The Government of Canada is investing in new technologies, additional resources, and training to detect and deter these impaired drivers.
Today, Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, on behalf of the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, the Honourable Bill Blair, announced $2.3 million over five years for projects to support training activities for frontline police officers in Yukon. Projects include training in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation, as well as dedicated trainers to deliver new and refresher training. Yukon will advance their drug-impaired driving initiatives in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, First Nations, partners and other stakeholders to support safe and healthy communities.
‘You hesitate, you lose lives’: Toronto votes for more aggressive Vision Zero road safety plan
July 16, 2019, Toronto Star (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
City council has voted to reboot its road-safety plan, as its first attempt failed to reduce traffic deaths.
Three years after endorsing the city’s first Vision Zero strategy aimed at eliminating road fatalities, councillors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Vision Zero 2.0. Under the enhanced plan, the city will reduce speed limits on dozens of arterial roads across Toronto, install more sidewalks and implement more pedestrian head-start signals, among other measures.
Justice minister approves second device for testing drivers' saliva for cannabis use
July 12, 2019, National Post (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The federal government has approved a second device for police to test the saliva of drivers for recent cannabis use. The devices are a crucial — and controversial — tool in the government’s strategy to prevent drug-impaired driving.
Justice Minister David Lametti signed an order dated June 20, 2019, to approve the Abbott SoToxa for use in Canada. Notice of the order was posted Friday in the Canada Gazette. It comes nearly a year after approval of the first device, the Drager DrugTest 5000.
Government of Canada requires manufacturers to provide Canadians with more information on vehicle defects
July 10, 2019, Transport Canada (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The Government of Canada is committed to improving road safety in order to keep all Canadian road users safe. That’s why Transport Canada is taking new action to ensure Canadians get the best possible safety information from vehicle manufacturers.
Uber in B.C.? Ride-hailing companies, advocates worried regulations too restrictive
July 8, 2019, CTV Vancouver (VANCOUVER, B.C.)
Imagine working for a cab company, ending your shift late and not and then not being able to get a taxi to stop and take you home.
Christiana Virtue said that’s exactly what happened to her.
“I was off at three o’clock in the morning waiting for a cab and the cab drove past me multiple times,” she told CTV News.
Province announces regulation and insurance policy for ride-hailing services
July 8, 2019, Government of B.C. (VICTORIA, B.C.)
The B.C. government is delivering on its commitment to bring ride-hailing to B.C., with regulations in place that will focus on passenger, driver and company safety, and will allow companies to apply to the Passenger Transportation Board by the beginning of September 2019.
“Our plan has made it possible for ride-hailing companies to apply to enter the market this fall, with vehicles on the road later this year, while ensuring the safety of passengers and promoting accessibility options in the industry,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Expanding driver training
July 4, 2019, Government of PEI (CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI)
“Driving is a complex activity anywhere, and it gets even more complex with our winter weather in PEI,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Steven Myers. “The newcomer novice driver course will be geared to some of the specific issues we face in PEI like winter driving, graduated driver licencing and school bus safety.”
Newcomers are required to get a PEI licence shortly after becoming a resident of our province and the new driver education course will be required before the road test. The course will take five hours and be taught in one or two sessions. There will be a registration fee.
Canadian Events & Conferences in 2019 & 2020
22nd ICADTS Conference
Edmonton, Alberta
August 18-21, 2019
Delft Road Safety Course
Delft University of Technology
The Netherlands
September 8-20, 2019
Road Safety & Simulation Conference
Iowa City, Iowa
October 14-17, 2019
University Student Opportunities
CARSP Website Postings
Various Dates
6th Ontario Road Safety Forum
Toronto, Ontario
October 17, 2019
CCMTA Annual Meeting
Charlottetown, PEI
May 31-June 3, 2020
6th International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
June 28-July 1, 2020