We must act now to ensure road safety for all

The publication of the latest annual road safety report indicates it is a good time to reflect on our collective responsibility for action on road safety. Every year, we hope for better results, but the trend remains worrisome as road accident deaths are at a 10-year high. Vulnerable road users still face risks.

It’s true that giant strides have been made since 1973 when Quebec suffered its worst safety record of 2,209 road fatalities.¹ Technology has helped make vehicles safer, road safety education has become more democratic and changed our driving behaviour for the better. So, what accounts for this setback in 2022?

We already know that most road-related deaths and injuries are inevitable and result from driver behaviour. We also know the recipe for ensuring road safety anywhere in the province for each type of road user is a combination of designing safer facilities, tightening rules and regulations, and working relentlessly on education and raising public awareness.

Stronger provincial policies to facilitate local action

CAA-Quebec has recently joined forces with other partners in calling for a national road safety strategy. In addition to mobilizing interested parties, a national strategy would make it possible to review development standards for the road network and equip municipalities with the tools to secure them. Naturally enough, this implies the need for adequate funding.

Rules and regulations must also evolve, and we call on government authorities to apply them diligently and judiciously. For example, Quebec speed limits must be lowered in all school zones and administrative sanctions must be imposed for blood-alcohol levels above 0.05. Such measures would reinforce the culture of road safety that should be instilled from the earliest age. They fall within the scope of the Vision Zero program, to which CAA-Quebec subscribes.

Turning words into actions

By means of their initiatives and daily actions in various communities, CAA-Quebec and its Foundation contribute to educating people and raising awareness about road safety. We rely on strong partners and salute the hard work of organizations who hope, as we do, to improve Quebec’s road safety record.

Looking in the rear-view mirror allows us to appreciate how far we’ve travelled in the past 50 years, but it’s the progress still to be made that should motivate us. Together we share a collective – but individual – responsibility, whether on foot, pedalling two wheels, or driving a vehicle.

Can we finally reverse the trend? Just wishing it is not enough. We must act now.

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1 - According to the road safety reports issued by the Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec.