Unofficial 'Start' Of Summer Triggers Road Campaign

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 03:55 AM

With the Victoria Day long weekend signalling the onset of summer for many, today marks the start of Canada Road Safety Week and the national campaign’s goal is to make the country’s roads the safest in the world.

As part of the police initiative, officers will be focusing - and asking the public to focus on - behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: sober and alert driving, seatbelt use, and intersection-related incidents involving drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

"The deaths, pain and broken hearts that result from carelessness behind the wheel can be prevented," says Fraser Fort George Traffic Services Sergeant Pat McTiernan.

He says, "Police agencies across the country are collaborating on this project because they have seen more than enough of that, and because they know that the involvement of the driving public is essential to achieve safer streets and highways."

McTiernan points out that vehicle collisions in our region have resulted in several deaths and serious injuries over the last couple of years and he says the numbers are more than statistics - they represent moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers and neighbours. He says, "This is unacceptable to the RCMP and is why, in support of Canada Road Safety Week, we will have extra manpower allotted during the weekends of the summer months."

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Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 03:55 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: diplomat on May 15 2007 7:29 AM

"...and the national campaign�s goal is to make the country�s roads the safest in the world."

A lofty goal, indeed! Let's make the roads safer by not only improving our driving habits, but let us make them much safer by demanding better maintenance, better construction, more four-laning and thereby separating the traffic and the likelihood of head-on collisions.

There are far too many badly designed curves, far too few and too short right and left turn lanes, traffic lights that are poorly timed and uncoordinated.

Etc.

Better driving habits will prevent many accidents, but the basic infrastructure needs some very serious improvements and bringing up to acceptable safety standards.

The safety improvements of modern vehicles have advanced steadily, but roads haven't been given the same priority.

Pity.

Posted by: metalman on May 15 2007 9:31 AM

No kidding!!!!
Hey! maybe some of the increased revenue from the hike in gas prices could be used to re-build some roads. Wait!! even better!! the government should tax the fuel we use and send the money back to the provinces and municipalities as funds earmarked for road repair and building. Oh yeah, that plan is already there. But why are the roads in such a deplorable state? Is it because we won't allow the money to be spent on frivolous things like roads and infrastructure? Perhaps it is because we the taxpayers prefer that the money be given to 3rd world countries (where the people do not even get to see a red cent of it anyway) or to see the money spent on surveys and studies and employment programs and special interest minority groups. Whoops, did I go too far there?
Anyhow, I support the actions of the RCMP in the attempt to make our roads safer by conducting roadside checks, they always seem to catch a few idiots and get them off the roads.
metalman.

Posted by: ICEMAN on May 15 2007 9:40 AM

You Know I Think It Is Good That The RCMP are cracking down on aggressive and fast drivers, but maybe if thye had more officers they could do more in an attempt to stop speeding and vehicle violations, as well as busting crack shack, keep up the good work boys in blue. Just a question for anyone out there that knows if CN Poilice can give you a ticket in the BCR yards, I was always under the impression that they can only do it on their private roads not Public city maintained roads. And if so why is the CN Cop (Power Hungry in Uniform) allowed to stop people on the roads.

:) :) :) :)

Posted by: diplomat on May 15 2007 10:18 AM

Let's put some of the mega projects on hold and concentrate fully on bringing our road infrastructure up to snuff!

http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/5861/1/library++making+plans+for+the+future?

Almost $30 million for a P.G. library expansion when drivers are busy darting around potholes and rumbling over badly cracked and poorly patched roads?

What does it take to shake the *deciders* up so they will start to put priorities into a sensible order of importance and affordability?

Good points, metalman!

Posted by: thereasonableman on May 15 2007 11:31 PM

"And if so why is the CN Cop (Power Hungry in Uniform) allowed to stop people on the roads."

CNR and CPR Police are Federally-appointed officers, and are therefore within their jurisdiction anywhere in Canada, same as RCMP.

The BCR Police were Provincially-appointed officers, and were therefore within their jurisdiction anywhere in BC, same as municipal police, special constables, and peace officers.

If you want to argue whether they should be out playing in traffic, instead of playing with their trainset, then you have a procedural argument, not a legal one. They are within their rights to ticket you anywhere.

With the Olympics coming up, I expect to get ticketed for anything from too many people in the elevator, to casting my fishing rod with the wrong hand.