Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

Under the umbrella of the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan Community Mobilization Strategy; the Aboriginal Traffic Safety Strategy enables the development and implementation of community based traffic safety strategies for Aboriginal communities throughout Alberta communities. These strategies are tailored to the eight Métis Settlements and 44 First Nations of Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8 through consultation between the community and Regional Traffic Safety Consultants (RTSCs) who are under contract to Alberta Transportation’s Office of Traffic Safety.

Community partnership and engagement based on collaboration, education, awareness, and enforcement provides the foundation for service delivery. Coupled with customized regional collision data, the Aboriginal Traffic Safety Strategy provides strategic direction for RTSCs for work within their respective Aboriginal communities to address specific traffic safety issues, allowing for flexible and tailored traffic safety services and activities.

Current activities include (not exhaustive) increasing the use of occupant restraints, reducing impaired driving, education of young drivers and riders, and increasing commercial vehicle compliance. This paper will describe these activities and the ongoing status of the traffic safety initiatives enabled through the Aboriginal Traffic Safety Strategy.

Judy Ostrowski, Dale Friedel