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Canadian Road Safety News Digest – November 1-30, 2020
January 12, 2021 | Categories: Quick Scan
Last Updated on March 18, 2021
Tough, swift penalties for impaired drivers
November 30, 2020, Alberta Transportation (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
Starting Dec. 1, police will be able to administer stricter impaired driving penalties on the road, while most first-time impaired driving charges will be handled quicker outside of court through SafeRoads Alberta. Impaired drivers could face larger fines and lose their vehicles for up to 30 days.
SafeRoads Alberta, a new adjudication branch, will allow drivers to pay their fees online, request more time to pay their penalty, or dispute their Immediate Roadside Sanction or vehicle seizure.
#TakethePledge to Keep Mississauga Road Users Safe
November 26, 2020, Mississauga.ca (MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO)
The City of Mississauga has partnered with Peel Regional Police on the road safety program called #TakeThePledgePeel, after it was endorsed by Council and the City’s Road Safety Committee. The program encourages all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians – walking or rolling) to do their part to keep themselves and other road users safe. The campaign addresses three concerns on Mississauga roads:
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
- Pedestrian safety
Marijuana use by drivers behind the wheel must remain a top road safety priority
November 26, 2020, Stockhouse.com (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) announces the release of two new fact sheets on drivers’ use of marijuana on Canadian roads. National trends are summarized in TIRF’s Road Safety Monitor 2020: Trends in Marijuana Use Among Canadian Drivers. The Road Safety Monitor (RSM) is an annual public opinion poll conducted by TIRF and co-sponsored by Beer Canada and Desjardins. The increasing presence of marijuana among drivers killed in road crashes, even prior to legalization, is reported in the second fact sheet, Marijuana Use Among Drivers in Canada, 2000-2017, also sponsored by Desjardins.
Impaired driving major contributor to Manitoba road deaths: Manitoba Public Insurance
November 25, 2020, MPI (WINNIPEG, MANITOBA)
Impaired driving was a leading contributing factor in at least 18 road deaths according to Manitoba Public Insurance preliminary data as of the end of October. While still below the five-year average of 25 (2015-19), Manitobans are reminded to drive sober as the holiday season fast approaches.
Making roads safer in northern B.C.
November 24, 2020, Government of B.C. (VICTORIA, B.C.)
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is rehabilitating and improving highways and bridges throughout northern B.C.
The B.C. government will continue to invest in transportation infrastructure for the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods.
In the North, many highway infrastructure upgrade projects are underway or were recently completed.
Statement by the Minister of Transport on the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims
November 18, 2020, Canada Newswire (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, issued the following statement:
"In 2020, a great deal of our national focus has been on COVID-19. Each and every day, we receive updates on infection counts, societal impacts, and steps we need to take to stop the spread of the virus. While it's important to remain vigilant when it comes to COVID-19, we must never forget about 'silent epidemics' that claim Canadian lives.
National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, a Day for Canadians to Commemorate & Commit to Change Distracted driving a factor in almost 1 in 4 four fatal crashes in Canada
November 18, 2020, Financial Post (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
Today, Canada commemorates National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. In support of survivors and their communities, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), along with its project partner The Co-operators, remember and honour those killed in road crashes.
Distracted driving is a factor in almost 1 in 4 four fatal crashes in Canada. Just as devastating is the fact that it is vehicle passengers or other road users who are more likely to be injured or killed in distraction-related fatal collisions than the distracted driver. This is unlike alcohol-impaired collisions where the alcohol-impaired driver is more often killed or injured. In addition, motor vehicle collisions account for 1 in 3 traumatic workplace deaths in transportation, construction and health care industries combined; many of these incidents involve distraction.
Commercial vehicle safety enforcement
November 17, 2020, Government of B.C. (VICTORIA, B.C.)
The Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch promotes compliance of safety regulations within the commercial transport sector, with the goal of increasing road safety for everyone.
CVSE uses a multi-level approach to ensure safety.
Aviva Canada supports MADD Canada’s SmartWheels Program.
November 17, 2020, MADD Canada (OAKVILLE, ONTARIO)
Using powerful videos and interactive technology, MADD Canada and Aviva Canada are delivering the dynamic SmartWheels program to Ontario elementary students.
Impaired driving takes a disproportionate toll among young Canadians: MADD Canada’s statistics reports indicate traffic collisions are the leading cause of death among 16-25 year olds with approximately 55% of fatal collisions involving alcohol and/or drugs.
Why impaired driving rates are spiking on P.E.I., and how to bring them down
November 14, 2020, CBC News (CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI)
From 2017 to 2019 the rate of police-reported incidences of impaired driving on P.E.I. more than doubled.
By the measure of how many impaired drivers police were catching, the province had been having a relatively good run.
After jumping up to around 500 incidents per 100,000 population in 2010 the rate fell to around 300 incidents until it began climbing again in 2018.
Steinbach to see speed display board, part of Manitoba Public Insurance road safety program
November 13, 2020, My Steinbach (STEINBACK, MANITOBA)
Over the next couple of months, Manitoba Public Insurance will provide 25 highly visible speed display boards in 13 communities, including Steinbach, thanks to a pilot road safety partnership between the public auto insurer and various municipalities.
City exploring reducing speed limit to 40 km/h on all 'local roads'
November 12, 2020, Orillia Matters (ORILLIA, ONTARIO)
Orillia City Councillor Ralph Cipolla thinks all residential streets in the city should have a maximum speed limit of 40 km/h.
And he has garnered the support of his council colleagues to have city staff explore the concept as a way to “enhance pedestrian safety and encourage active transportation.”
TIRF reports on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel Behaviour & Road Safety
November 12, 2020, Financial Post (OTTAWA, ONTARIO)
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) announces the release of a new fact sheet, Road Safety Monitor 2020:The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Travel Behaviour & Road Safety, a summary based upon data from the Road Safety Monitor (RSM) conducted by TIRF, with sponsorship by Beer Canada, Desjardins and Labatt. The results reveal a majority of respondents reported their driving behaviour did not change and a small proportion indicated they were less likely to engage in dangerous driving behaviours. Results also revealed a shift in the preferred method of travel during the pandemic; early findings suggest this may be permanent for some Canadians.
Manitoba Public Insurance and municipalities partner up for road safety: speed display boards throughout the province
November 12, 2020, MPI (WINNIPEG, MANITOBA)
Over the next couple of months, Manitoba Public Insurance will provide 25 highly visible speed display boards in 13 communities thanks to a pilot road safety partnership between the public auto insurer and various municipalities.
The speed display boards are electronic signs that use radar to detect the speed of an approaching vehicle and display the speed on an LED variable message display.
What should Windsor consider before deciding on a city-wide 40km/hr speed limit?
November 11, 2020, CBC News (WINDSOR, ONTARIO)
Before Windsor implements a city-wide speed limit reduction, experts say it's important to look at the data to determine the right course of action.
On Monday, Windsor's city council voted to have administration work on a detailed report on a city-wide speed limit reduction to 40 kilometres per hour, with 50 kilometres per hour kept for select major roadways. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens asked that they look at all possibilities with this proposal and assess other cities that have implemented speed reducing measures.
CBC's Windsor Morning spoke with Shabnem Afzal, the vice president of the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals, to explore what the city should be looking at and if a speed limit reduction is enough.
Cyclist death prompts calls for better crash investigations, commitment to zero deaths
November 10, 2020, Times Columnist (VICTORIA, B.C.)
Road safety advocates are calling for better crash investigations that consider how changes to infrastructure can improve safety after a cyclist was struck by a car and killed Friday evening in Victoria.
Victoria police said a woman on a bike died after she was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Gorge Road and Harriet Street shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Active Transportation Fund Calling for Year Two Applicants
November 6, 2020, Government of PEI (CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI)
The Active Transportation Fund (AT Fund) was announced in late 2019 as part of the Sustainable Transportation Action Plan.
The AT Fund helps build new walking and bike paths, install paved road shoulders and better connect existing walking and cycling trails to improve and grow PEI’s active transportation network.
Speed limit on Edmonton's residential roads will drop to 40 km/h next summer
November 5, 2020, Edmonton Journal (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
Speed limits on Edmonton’s residential roads and several high-pedestrian main streets will drop to 40 km/h next summer after a 9-3 vote by city council Wednesday afternoon.
The change will impact local and collector residential roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h, but not arterial roads and industrial areas. There are also 22 exception road segments that will remain at 50 km/h because the city’s traffic safety department deemed the road designs wide enough for higher speeds.
HRM gets provincial approval to lower speed limits in three neighbourhoods
November 2, 2020, Halifax Today (HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA)
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that speed limits will be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in the Glengarry Estates, Russell Lake West and Oakmount neighbourhoods.
Crews will begin posting new signage today. Work is expected to take approximately one week to complete.
This initiative, which reflects Council’s focus on making communities safer by reducing speeding in residential neighbourhoods, is part of the municipality’s road safety actions to move toward zero fatalities and injuries for people using any mode of transportation.
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CARSP/PRI 2021 Joint Conference
Montreal, Quebec
August 22-25, 2021