The Border City might see another traffic safety measure in the future. At the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting council discussed the Vision Zero program, which has been used in communities across Canada including Edmonton.
Mayor Geralds Aalbers says, “what we would like to do is examine some of those ideas, hear more about it and then give administration some more direction as to where we would like to go, working with them to improve the safety on our streets.”
The goal of the program is to have no fatalities or serious injuries from road traffic collisions, but looks at placing this responsibility on system design rather than humans.
The General Manager of Public Safety Doug Rodwell says, “anytime you are talking about safety or talking about injury reduction or reduction in fatalities, it’s a fit for any community. I think it’s important to look at those opportunities.”
The Vision Zero Program is a seven step process:
- Identification of needs and a vision for safety in the community
- Membership-allows for access to over 15, 000 products, services and workshops
- Determining strategic goals and identifying individuals, groups or experts to “champion’ the program
- Traffic audit
- Media
- Implementing the plan
- Vision Zero Proclamation
Mayor Aalbers add that the funding of this program could be provided by the revenues from bringing photo radar in house.
The next step identified in the GPC meeting would be to invite Jeff Calibaba, the programs main advocate, to deliver a presentation to council on the program.