RoadSmart Report | November, 2005

SGI’s commitment to Road Safety Vision 2010

SGI is part of Road Safety Vision 2010 (RSV 2010), a national effort at making Canada’s roads the safest in the world. This vision is supported by strategies to address key road safety issues such as impaired driving, seatbelt use and intersection and speed management.

For its part, SGI is committed to using the RSV 2010 strategies as a guide and has set road safety goals, in line with RSV 2010, that will help meet the national target of a 30 per cent decrease in the average number of road users killed or seriously injured during the 2008-2010 period compared with 1996-2001 average figures.

Those goals include:

• A 95 per cent rate of seatbelt wearing, and proper use of appropriate child restraints, by all motor vehicle occupants.

• A 40 per cent decrease in the number of fatally or seriously injured unbelted occupants.

• A 40 per cent decrease in the percentage of road users fatally or seriously injured in crashes involving drinking and driving.

• A 40 per cent decrease in the number of road users fatally or seriously injured on rural roads (defined as roads where the speed limit is 80-90 km/hr).

• A 20 per cent decrease in the number of road users killed or seriously injured in speed or intersection-related crashes.

• A 20 per cent decrease in the number of road users killed or seriously injured in crashes involving commercial vehicles.

• A 20 per cent decrease in the number of young drivers/riders (those aged 16-19 years) killed or seriously injured in crashes.

• A 30 per cent decrease in the number of fatally or seriously injured vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists).

• A 20 per cent decrease in the number of road users fatally or seriously injured in crashes involving high-risk drivers.

There are a number of ways the public can do its part to help reach these goals and ensure the RSV 2010 mandate is a success.

• Always wear a seatbelt. Whether you’re going a short distance, travelling at a low speed, driving on a familiar route or travelling down a road with little traffic, wearing a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death. Studies show that wearing a seatbelt can increase your chances of surviving a collision by nearly 50 per cent.

• Make sure your child is properly fitted and secured in the appropriate car seat. Choose a seat according to your child’s size and not their age. It is also a good idea to visit a child restraint clinic in your community to have your car seat checked by a certified technician.

• Make our roads safer by making the decision to not drive after drinking. Volunteer to be the designated driver, call a taxi or arrange for a ride home.

• Remember that posted speed limits are the maximum speed to be travelled under ideal conditions. It is important to slow down in poor weather and in areas that indicate a change in speed limits such as in school zones. People who drive too fast are at a greater risk of serious injuries in the event of a traffic collision.

• Pedestrians are also road users and they deserve your attention. Watch out for pedestrians when making a left or right turn, give way to any pedestrian crossing the road and never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

• At any given time both motorcycles and bicycles could share your traffic lane. It is important to maintain a safe driving distance to ensure their safety. As well, it is equally important for riders of both motorcycles and bicycles to always wear a helmet.

Contact:
Kwei Quaye
Manager, Traffic Safety Program Evaluation
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6182