Traffic safety - it's amazing
Published February 9, 2005
In 2004, Strathcona County experienced 2,057 motor vehicle collisions for an average of 5.62 per day. The associated monetary cost is staggering, but vastly overshadowed by the personal toll suffered by many people.
In my RCMP service, I encountered enough human suffering to last me 1,000 lifetimes. Sadly, a lot of those encounters were related to motor vehicle collisions. In the few years prior to my retirement in 2001 and since that time, I have seen our driving habits deteriorate to the point where I fear that we, collectively as motor vehicle operators, are rushing headlong into a driving pattern that will show absolute disregard for courtesy and consideration, rules of the road, and safety to others. This pattern is not exclusive to gender or age. We have to remember that driving is a privilege and not a right.
I am amazed that when I see a traffic light turn red and, while I start braking about half a block away, in my rear view mirror I see a person travelling well over the speed limit weaving in and out of traffic. That vehicle then drives at a high rate of speed, brakes hard at the light and then I slowly pull up behind it. I am amazed when enforcement personnel working on collector roads tell me they stop a violator who says they thought the rules only apply to persons not residing in their urban subdivision. I am amazed when at a T-intersection with a stop sign, the person says they stopped, yet somehow that vehicle hit the vehicle with the right of way travelling through the intersection. I am amazed at how many stop signs are violated and how many people refuse to wear seat belts.
The absolute worst duty a police officer has to perform is notifying someone of a loved one's death and sadly it is a duty I have performed many times. With due diligence on everyone's part, we could save many of those messages from being delivered.
We as a society have to take a stand; we can eradicate the problem if we have the collective will. The police cannot do it alone. If you see a violation, report it and be willing to follow through. I ask with all sincerity for each one of us to reflect on how we drive and have the courage, if it applies, to alter how we drive, for the greater good of all. Such an approach will amaze us all.
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
wlodarczak@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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