“Why Road Safety is Everyone’s Business in Niagara: A Lighthearted Look at Serious Stuff”

Ah, Niagara! Home to cascading waterfalls, world-class wineries, top shelf restaurants and… a growing number of road collisions? That’s right. Between 2015 and 2019, the Niagara Region saw an uptick in traffic incidents, prompting local authorities to take action. 

Speeding: The Need for Speed (Limits)

Speeding isn’t just about getting to your destination faster; it’s a leading cause of crashes, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.  To combat this, Niagara has implemented automated speed enforcement in community safety zones, leading to a 13% drop in average driving speeds and a 67% reduction in speeding violations per hour. 

Predictability: The Unsung Hero of Driving

Being predictable on the road—signaling turns, obeying traffic laws, and maintaining consistent speeds—helps other drivers anticipate your actions, reducing the likelihood of accidents. But predication is just the start.

Critical Thinking: Your Brain’s Role in Road Safety

Driving isn’t just about reflexes; it requires constant decision-making with the appropriate follow up action. Distracted driving, such as texting or adjusting the radio, can impair your ability and judgement to make quick decisions, increasing the risk of collisions. 

Community Initiatives: Safety in Numbers

Niagara’s Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. This includes measures like red light cameras and community safety zones to promote safer driving behaviors. Some may dislike them, but they work. And the goal here is to always improve to keep everyone's loved ones safer, isn't it?

Conclusion: Let’s Keep Niagara Safe

Road safety isn’t just the responsibility of law enforcement or government agencies; it’s a collective effort. By adhering to speed limits, learning how to predict and follow through with the proper actions/reactions and staying focused, we can all contribute to safer roads in Niagara.

Stay safe out there!

Promoting Vision Zero: Aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer road practices for all, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Need a refresher? Go to our C&C Driver Trainings Website here and check out the MTO's G1 Handbook for up to date road safety requirements.