DriveSmartBC

I wonder if anyone stopped for a traffic violation today would know what Road Safety Vision 2010 was. Sad to say, but I also wonder if some of them would even care. I was excited when the RCMP committed itself to be held responsible for meeting the goals of the program, rolled out the Traffic Safety Management Information Tool (TSMIT) and began enforcement specifically targeted at problems identified by the tool. We were going to make a difference!

Half way through the program, where do we stand? A report released by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators examines the situation and British Columbia is not doing well, nor is Canada as a whole. Yes, some provinces are making a difference, but we are not one of them because our fatality rates have increased over the baseline. One person in 10,000 will die as the result of a traffic crash in our province.

The report says that "The sub target areas where performance has been most disappointing have been speed management, vulnerable road users, commercial vehicle involved crashes, drinking and driving, rural roads and in 2005, young drivers. At the end of 2005, only unbelted serious injury rates and intersection related fatality and serious injury rates were within reach of the required pro-rata sub-target."

Although there may be some blame, don't be quick about pointing a finger at the police. As I am fond of repeating, take a good look in the mirror before you say anything. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Make each trip an attempt to be a safer driver and an example to others. Like mom used to say, everyone else is jumping off the cliff....

References:

Mid-Term Report - PDF Document
Other RSV2010 Reports - Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators
Road Safety Vision 2010 - Transport Canada