At the start of the construction holidays, the Sûreté du Québec advises the population that it will intensify its presence on the roads.
It’s not only necessary, it’s vital.
The last few weeks have been marked by a deterioration in road safety which is frankly worrying.
On Wednesday, we learned of the death of a 39-year-old flagman following a hit-and-run the previous week. A motorist drove into the site where the young father was working, killing him and hitting his colleague who escaped with injuries.
In late June, a 22-year-old woman, Dilan Kaya, was hit by a truck as she crossed the street in the north of the city. Inconsolable, her father goes every day to the corner of rue Bélair and 22e Avenue to challenge the authorities. Residents of the neighborhood had pointed out the dangerousness of this intersection on several occasions in recent years. Their anger since the accident recalls that of the residents of Labelle and Rivière-Rouge who denounced the dangers of Route 117 a few years ago.
What is happening on the roads of Quebec?
In 2022, 79 pedestrians lost their lives, an increase of 22.7%, the worst road toll in the last 15 years, according to the organization Piétons Québec.
In 2022, the SAAQ counted 392 deaths on the roads of Quebec, 45 more than in 2021, an increase of 13.2% compared to the years 2017 to 2021.
It was believed that the tragic death of little Mariia, 7, last December would have thrown a cold shower and made motorists aware to be extra careful. And we would like to think that by adding stops and speed bumps, motorists would be more vigilant. Unfortunately, even if these appeasement measures have shown their effectiveness, they do not solve everything.
The proof ? Motorists were seen carrying out dangerous maneuvers in the Centre-Sud after the death of little Mariia, under the noses of the police officers assigned to monitoring the intersection… It is hopeless.
Does this mean that cities should sit back and watch the carnage without flinching? Of course not.
We must continue to increase traffic calming measures by ensuring that cities can intervene quickly on their own territory. Has the law requiring the intervention of an engineer to implement these measures made the process more or less efficient? This should be evaluated in order to adjust the course if necessary.
We must also think about the presence of heavy trucks on the streets as we argued in December 2021.
We also advocated for the addition of speed cameras at problematic intersections last May.
That said, you have to be honest and recognize that the problem is the car.
The number of vehicles is growing in Montreal, an island which, until the latest news, is not elastic.
An average of 8,800 vehicles are added per year in the metropolis. Not only are they more numerous, but they are also wider, taller, heavier and therefore more dangerous.
Then, behind the wheel of these vehicles, there are sometimes impatient, tired, preoccupied, angry, distracted, reckless humans. People in a hurry accelerating when they should slow down. Who don’t stop. And who forget that a vehicle can become a weapon.
Nearly three-quarters of Quebec motorists do not respect speed limits, according to the SAAQ. And almost as many (70%) exceed the speed limit in 30 km/h zones, ie school zones. As for pedestrian crossings, we cross them at our own risk, whereas elsewhere in the world and in the rest of the country, cars stop immediately when a pedestrian puts their big toe on the first strip of paint on the roadway.
France has just modified its penal code in connection with road accidents. From now on, we will speak of “road” homicide rather than “manslaughter” to describe an accident involving a motorist who has been negligent (texting while driving, alcohol, speed, etc.). This change was made at the request of the families of the victims who wanted the seriousness of the acts committed to be recognized at its fair value.
The choice of words is not innocent and will perhaps help to sensitize the most careless of motorists.
We should do the same in Quebec.
While reminding motorists that cities do not have to adapt to the presence of ever larger and more intrusive vehicles. On the contrary, they must discourage their presence in dense environments where one can travel by public or active transport.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault must submit a road safety plan at the start of the school year. We are waiting for it impatiently.
It will take political courage to stand up to motorists. Its a question of life or death.