Friday, May 15, 2009

SAVING LIVES DURING CANADA ROAD SAFETY WEEK

May 12 - 18, 2009 will mark Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to make Canada's
roads the safest in the world. This week has been strategically chosen, as it is the first "summer" long weekend. More people are traveling and traffic collisions are more frequent. Police vehicles will be stationed at key locations to remind people that safe driving habits save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.
The focus during Canada Road Safety Week will be on behaviours that reduce risks for drivers, passengers and other road users: sober and alert driving, seat belt use, and refraining from all aspects of aggressive driving. All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate.
"Anyone can become a victim of unsafe driving --- whether by direct involvement or when a loved one is affected," says Traffic Services Inspector Len Faul. "Police agencies across the country are collaborating on this project because they have seen this kind of devastation, and because they know that the involvement of the driving public is essential to achieve safer streets and highways."
Here in Toronto, there have been 177 deaths over the last 3 years related to vehicle collisions. These are just numbers, but they represent a lot of pain and heartache for our city--- that could have been prevented. That is why, in support of Canada Road Safety Week, we are increasing RIDE Spot Checks, vehicle safety blitzes, enforcement and education strategies and public awareness.

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by Transport Canada and endorsed by police and is part of Road Safety Vision 2010, which has a goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world by 2010. Now that we are only a year away, we see a need to extend this vision and continue to strive for this goal.

"Dedicated to improving public safety on our roadways."

What is Canada Road Safety Week?
• It is a special week to focus on safe driving practices, and is timed in conjunction with Canada's first holiday weekend of the summer, when the traveling public will be out in great numbers.
• It is a coordinated effort between police agencies across the country to work toward the goal of Road Safety Vision 2010 - making Canada's roads the safest in the world.
• It is a time to remind drivers and passengers across Canada to make a conscious decision about safety whenever they get behind the wheel. Buckle seat belts and ensure youngsters in vehicles are properly restrained according to their age and size. Refrain from drinking and driving. Pay attention to the road at all times.
Who was involved in coordinating this week?
• The project was developed by the Traffic Committee of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, in conjunction with several organizations focused on road safety.
• The participation of community partners and citizens across Canada is essential to achieve success.
What enforcement issues are most critical for front-line officers to enforce during Canada Road Safety Week?
• Drinking and driving, in any and all circumstances.
• Using seat belts and child restraints every time, no matter how short the trip.
• Aggressive driving, driving at unsafe speeds, following too closely or running red lights and stop signs.
• These issues are important every day of the year; not just during this special week.
What is Road Safety Vision 2010?
• Road Safety Vision 2010 is a national effort at making Canada's roads the safest in the world. The vision provides the road safety community with benchmarks against which to develop new strategies and measure intervention efforts. The vision focuses on users, road networks and vehicles and is specifically aimed to:
Raise public awareness of road safety issues
Improve communication, cooperation and collaboration among road safety agencies
Enhance enforcement measures
Improve national road safety data quality and collection
• Now that 2010 is only a year away, discussions are underway to
extend the vision and continue the effort. More information about Canada’s Road Safety Vision is available at www.ccmta.ca.

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