Search recently published papers
from the Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference
Quick Scan
Canadian Road Safety News Digest – June 1-30, 2018
July 19, 2018 | Categories: Quick Scan
Last Updated on December 4, 2018
How police are preparing to catch drivers under the influence of cannabis
June 30, 2018, CTV News (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
With recreational marijuana set to become legal on Oct. 17, police forces across Canada are stepping up efforts to train officers to detect drivers under the influence of the drug.
A new piece of legislation that changed Canada’s impaired driving laws gives police enhanced powers to conduct roadside intoxication tests, including oral fluid drug tests. Driving while high will remain illegal after legalization.
Could Canadian seniors lead the semi-automated vehicle revolution?
June 28, 2018, TIRF (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
A new study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) suggests senior drivers in Canada could play a leadership role in the safe adoption of semi-automated vehicles as Canadian roadways transition from traditional vehicles to increasingly automated vehicles. The study, funded by the Toyota Canada Foundation, analyzed data regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of senior drivers collected from focus groups, as well as an online survey of 2,662 Canadians.
May traffic spotlight reveals impaired drivers more likely to be caught
June 26, 2018, SGI (REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN)
The May Traffic Safety Spotlight1 results show that now, more than ever, you’re more likely to be caught if you make the choice to drive impaired.
Last month, police reported 404 impaired driving offences, including 352 Criminal Code charges. This tells us two things…
Police can demand roadside breath sample from any driver as of December
June 26, 2018, CBC News (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
Starting later this year, Island police can ask any driver for a roadside breath sample, even if the driver does not appear to be intoxicated.
The new powers come from federal Bill C-46, which received royal assent on June 21. The law goes hand-in-hand with the upcoming legalization of cannabis, and comes into force in December (180 days after receiving royal assent).
University of Alberta gets $500K for automated vehicle research
June 25, 2018, Global News (CALGARY, ALBERTA)
The federal government has committed $500,000 towards the University of Alberta’s project to improve privacy of automated vehicle communications.
The government said the funding will support research, studies and technology to help address technical, policy and regulatory issues related to connected and automated vehicles.
B.C. minister's statement on the federal Cannabis Act
June 20, 2018, Government of B.C. (VICTORIA, B.C.)
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has issued the following statement regarding the federal Cannabis Act:
“Today, the Government of Canada has made history by announcing the end of a 95-year prohibition on non-medical cannabis, and confirming the legalization date of Oct. 17, 2018. Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, creates a new national framework that provides access to a regulated supply of cannabis, while implementing restrictions to minimize the harms associated with cannabis use.
Continue reading this post…(enter article heading into search field)
‘People are fed up’: Coalition aims to make road safety a major Toronto election issue
June 19, 2018, The Star (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
With public concern over traffic deaths in Toronto seemingly on the rise, a coalition of advocates is hoping to make road safety a major issue in this fall’s municipal election.
In a report scheduled to be released Tuesday at city hall, the advocates set out 15 recommendations they say mayoral and council candidates should adopt to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Drugs and Driving: Zero Tolerance for Everyone
June 18, 2018, SAAQ (MONTREAL, QUEBEC)
In anticipation of the legalization of cannabis by the Government of Canada, Québec’s National Assembly has adopted the Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions.
This Act introduces a zero-tolerance principle when it comes to drugs and driving by prohibiting anyone from driving a vehicle if there is a detectable presence of cannabis or any other drug in that person’s saliva. Offenders are subject to an immediate 90-day suspension of their driver’s licence.
Long a Canadian cycling mecca, Montreal’s future looks downright Scandinavian
June 16, 2018, The Star (MONTREAL QUEBEC)
While other Canadian cities debate dedicated cycling lanes, Montreal is planning highways for its many residents who get around on a bike.
Such is the distance that lies between a city like Toronto, which has suffered nearly 100 cycling and pedestrian deaths two years after adopting the Vision Zero plan to eliminate fatalities entirely, and Montreal, where such incidents are extremely rare.
Five changes Toronto could make to improve street safety for cyclists, pedestrians
June 13, 2018, Globe and Mail (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
When Toronto’s “Vision Zero” road safety plan was unveiled in the summer of 2016, it aimed to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by 20 per cent. In the face of public outrage over such timidity, the plan was modified to match its name, with the formal goal of having zero of these incidents.
Two years later, the city is not achieving even the less ambitious initial goal. Close to 100 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed on Toronto streets since the plan was introduced, a pace that suggests no sustained improvement.
Tie Senate vote blocks move to put mandatory alcohol screening back into bill
June 12, 2018, iPolitics (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
In a surprise tie vote that stretched across party lines, an attempt to put random alcohol testing back into the Liberal government’s impaired driving legislation failed Tuesday evening.
Expanded toolkit supports making local roads safer
June 11, 2018, Government of B.C. (VICTORIA, B.C.)
The Province has released an expanded toolkit to help local governments interested in making their streets and related features safer, no matter how people get around.
Two new modules and an introduction round out the BC Community Road Safety Toolkit, which discusses and illustrates some of the safest, most innovative road design features from around the world:
Continue reading this post… (enter article heading into search field)
Senate approves marijuana legalization with amendments
June 7, 2018, Winnipeg Free Press (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
Canada inched closer to legalizing cannabis for recreational use on Thursday, as the Senate passed the federal government's Cannabis Act, with four dozen amendments.
The Cannabis Act had been with the Senate since November 28, one day after it was passed by the House of Commons. Since then, senators have debated the bill and studied it at five separate committees.
Legal pot isn't a threat to public health or safety, doctors tell Senate
June 6, 2018, CTV News (VANCOUVER, B.C.)
There's little evidence that legalized marijuana poses a threat to public health and safety, and there may be benefits, says a new study from Canadian doctors and researchers.
The report, submitted to the Senate this week, outlines the positive and negative impacts legalization has had in other jurisdictions.
City to install more red light cameras for safety reasons
June 4, 2018, CTV News (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
The City of Edmonton is increasing the number of red light cameras in an attempt to reduce collisions at intersections.
The 20 new Intersection Safety Cameras (ISCs) will bring the total to 70. According to the city, ISCs deter drivers from running red lights, lower the amount and severity of crashes, and improve the safety of city roads.
City's $118k Vision Zero competition slammed by road safety advocates, who say 'proven solutions' exist
June 3, 2018, CBC News (TORONTO, ONTARIO)
Colin Powell walks, bikes, drives, and takes public transit to get around Toronto.
In other words, the environmentally-conscious consultant understands what it feels like to use Toronto's roads in a myriad of ways — making him the kind of well-versed Torontonian the city is hoping contributes to its newly-launched Vision Zero Challenge to boost road safety.
Government says mandatory drug testing possible for certain jobs
June 2, 2018, CBC News (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The Trudeau government has been looking into making drug testing mandatory in selected workplaces in connection with its cannabis legislation.
MP Bill Blair, the government's point person on the file, told CBC Radio's The House on Thursday that people in safety-sensitive jobs — like pilots — could be subjected to mandatory testing in the future.
Canadian Events & Conferences in 2018
The 10th International ACM Conference on Automotive User Interfaces and Interactive Vehicular Applications
Toronto, Ontario
September 23-25, 2018