January, 2000

SGI scholarship leads to invaluable traffic safety research

It's been said that if people in Saskatchewan didn't talk about the weather, then they wouldn't have anything to talk about. Well, now Jeff Suggett is adding another element to the conversation.

In March 1999, Suggett completed the thesis requirement for his master of science degree in geography from the University of Regina. Based on his interests and with some help from SGI, he wrote his thesis on the effect of precipitation on traffic safety in Regina -- the first study of its kind done in the city.

Previous studies in other jurisdictions have shown that all types of precipitation increase the risk of collision, and that snow and mixed precipitation (rain turning to snow) were found to pose a greater risk to driving than rain. While Suggett's research attests to these findings, he introduced some original conclusions.

"The likelihood of collision and injury is greatly affected by the time of day and day of week when precipitation occurs. Possibly even more so than the amount of precipitation," said Suggett, who received an SGI Traffic Safety Research Scholarship in 1997.

The timing of a snowstorm plays a critical role in traffic safety, according to Suggett. "It has to do with the volume of traffic on the roads at that time. On a weekday in the afternoon, for example, the risk of collision in snowy weather can be three times that of typical winter driving."

It's widely known that snowstorms during peak traffic periods result in more collisions, but Suggett found two unexpected effects. His study showed that the risk of collision after a measurable snowfall lasts, on average, for seven days.

It also introduced evidence to suggest that while drivers are careful to avoid collisions when driving in snowy, rainy and slippery conditions, they fail to adjust their speed to the road conditions.

Drivers age 60 and over fared better than drivers age 20 to 59 at avoiding collisions in snowy weather. Suggett attributed this to older drivers using good judgment and choosing to alter, delay or cancel their driving trips.

So what does all this mean for the average driver? SGI's Manager of Traffic Safety Program Evaluation, Kwei Quaye, says that Suggett's study could help in the development of road safety policy for Saskatchewan.

"Educating drivers about the risk of collision both during and after precipitation could encourage them to take special precautions in slippery conditions," said Quaye. "As a result, over time we could see a reduction in fatalities, injuries and in the cost of collisions in Saskatchewan."

Suggett was one of two graduate students at the University of Regina awarded an SGI Traffic Safety Research Scholarship to cover research activity over a period of two years. He received $10,000 in the fall of 1997 and an additional $10,000 in the summer of 1998.

SGI's Traffic Safety Research Scholarship was set up in 1996 to encourage graduate students to develop an interest and expertise in the area of road safety, as well as to aid in the development of ideas that may be applied to help solve traffic safety problems in Saskatchewan.

For more information, contact:
Kwei Quaye
Manager, Traffic Safety Program Evaluation
SGI
Regina
Phone: (306) 775-6182

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