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The challenge – changing driver behaviour

OPP News Release ******************** Sudbury – Ontario Provincial Police statistical analysis supports the need for a targeted approach to crash reduction on Highways 17, 69, 64 and 144 and the feeder arteries for Greater Sudbury.
Kate Adams
OPP News Release

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Sudbury – Ontario Provincial Police statistical analysis supports the need for a targeted approach to crash reduction on Highways 17, 69, 64 and 144 and the feeder arteries for Greater Sudbury. In 2008, the number of highway traffic deaths on OPP patrolled highways in and around Sudbury reached an all time high of 12, a significant increase from the 5 people killed in 2007. So far this year, 3 more have lost their lives in 2 highway collisions in the Sudbury detachment area.

In response, the Sudbury Fatal Collision Reduction Strategy has been initiated. This multifaceted 12-week long traffic safety focus began February 1, 2009 and will run through to April 30, 2009.

The Sudbury Fatal Collision Reduction Strategy has several components:

• public education and information
• enhanced highway patrol on identified sections
• periodic aircraft patrol
• strict enforcement measures
• post strategy evaluation

"I’m determined to improve road safety in the Sudbury detachment area and focus my detachment resources on enforcement measures that target drivers who jeopardize the safety of others," emphasizes Staff Sergeant Garry Mills, Sudbury Detachment Commander.

The frequent lack of regard for others on the road is all too evident. Drivers speed, follow too closely, drive too fast for road and weather conditions, change lanes frequently, pass improperly, disobey traffic controls and fail to yield the right of way. These behaviours factor significantly in terms of the collisions investigated by the OPP. In areas of high traffic volume, a change in driver attitude and behaviour is a big part of the fatal collision solution.

"Aggressive driving and the devastating consequences, in terms of personal injury and death, can only be reduced when drivers recognize their own poor habits and commit to changing them," states Inspector Garry MacPherson, Manager Highway Safety Division - North East Region. “Our fatal collision reduction strategy creates public awareness for this traffic safety issue and increases a drivers' sense of risk as to possible enforcement action."

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