May 12, 2106
BURLINGTON,ON
They are calling it road safety week – week – May 17-23, 2016. It is going to be a national campaign aimed at making Canada’s roads the safest in the world.
There were 1923 deaths due to accidents on roads in Canada in2013
The campaign is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the police enforcement role is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways. Educating the public about safe driving practices is a priority. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk.
Referred to as the ‘Big 4 Killers’:
impaired operation by alcohol or drug,
seat belt use
all aspects related to aggressive
and distracted driving.
Police agencies across the country are collaborating on this initiative and asking you to choose safe behaviours while travelling on our roadways, whether you are a driver or a passenger. We need to work together to ensure that Canada’s roadways are the safest in the world.
During the first five months of 2016, eight motorists or passengers have died on Regional roadways along with seven others sustaining life altering injuries. These collisions result in extremely tragic circumstances which highlight the fact that preventable driving behaviors cause of too many collisions. Driving behavior impacts the safety of our community, can result in tragic outcomes and serious repercussions.
- In 2013, the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,923; down 7.4% from 2012 (2,076).
- The downward trend for serious injuries continued, dropping to 10,315 in 2013; down 7.2% from 2012 (11,116).
- The rate of the number of fatalities per 100,000 population was 5 in 2013, down from 6.0 in 2012.
- 2013 marked the first time that the fatality rate per 10,000 registered vehicles (of 0.83) was below 9.
The Halton Regional Police Service enforces all matters of road safety 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. In support of Canada Road Safety Week, the Halton Police will adapt a heightened level of presence on our roadways, looking for impaired and distracted motorists, along with those who choose to speed or not wear a seatbelt.
Motorists found in contravention may be subject to arrest & charges, including licence suspensions, vehicle seizures and costly fines.
If you observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you, or anyone else in danger, please call 911 for an immediate police response. Halton residents are also encouraged to report any criminal activity to Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
I think in my lifetime I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve seen a transport truck pulled over for speeding. When a hundred thousand pound mountain of rolling death is traveling at 75 miles an hour, a car stands little chance in any sort of collision. Especially, when we know so many of them are in poor mechanical shape. Just sayin’