RoadSafetyBC has released a new report that will help guide the Province to achieving the safest roads in North America by 2020.

“Moving to Vision Zero: Road Safety Strategy Update and Showcase of Innovation in British Columbia” is the result of collaboration by more than 40 road safety experts. The report aligns with Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2015 and highlights the application of the safe systems approach – the understanding that road safety developments must account for the inevitability of human error, the limitations of the human body in withstanding force, and the responsibility of road and vehicle designers, policy makers and road users.

With this approach and the implementation of evidence-based practices, and a thorough study of how road safety is managed around the globe, RoadSafetyBC is reinforcing its commitment to road safety principles that will lead to the province having the safest roads in North America.

Tweet your ideas and opinions about how British Columbia can achieve this goal, using the hashtag: #safestroadsby2020

Quotes:

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris –  

“The Road Safety Strategy report is the product of B.C.’s largest meeting of related stakeholders to date.

“That meeting engaged professionals in strengthening our practical approach to saving lives and reducing injuries among all road users, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, like pedestrians and cyclists.”

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone –

“By looking at how road safety is managed around the world, we have been able to make effective infrastructure developments that make our highways safer, from the installation of centre median barriers to four-laning large sections of highways across the province.

“We’ve made significant progress so far and are determined to establish the safest roads on the continent for our citizens.” 

Superintendent of motor vehicles Sam MacLeod –

“The goal of this report was to bring B.C.’s wealth of road safety professionals and experts together to review and renew B.C.’s road safety strategy.

“This report is an invaluable tool in guiding the future of road safety policy and programs as we work towards our ultimate goal of zero traffic fatalities and zero serious injury crashes.” 

Quick Facts:

• The three parts of the report are:
  • Theory, principles, and practices guiding B.C.’s road safety strategy.
  • Updated statistics on road fatalities and serious injuries.
  • A showcase of road safety innovations and evidence-based practices newly implemented in B.C. 
• The top three human contribution factors to road deaths and serious injury are speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving.
• Between 2005 and 2014, road deaths have decreased by 36%, from 452 to 290, although relatively little progress has been made in reducing pedestrian and cyclist deaths.
• British Columbia has invested in $18 billion in road-infrastructure improvements since 2001, including 33 new passing lanes on rural highways, 6,700 kilometres of rumble strips, 18,500 kilometres of repaving, and 14,000 kilometres of median and roadside barriers. 
• Since 2010, drinking and driving deaths have decreased by 52%, with an estimated 260 lives saved due in part to B.C.’s tough drinking driving laws.  

Learn More:

Read the Road Safety Strategy Report:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/road-safety-rules-and-consequences/publications-legislation-and-data/bc-road-safety-strategy

View the Moving to Vision Zero strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsyvrkEjoXI