2004 Road Safety The Cdn Experience

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Maureen C. Shaw, President & CEO Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) 1-800-406-IAPA (4272) www.iapa.ca

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Road Safety The Canadian Experience

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Canada is one of the largest countries in the world It’s population density is amongst the lowest Canadians rely heavily on private motor vehicles 19 million vehicles on Canadian roads 21 million drivers operating vehicles 900,000 kilometers of roads Source: Transport Canada

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2,778 deaths due to motor vehicle collisions 40% of fatally injured occupants were unrestrained – no seat belts A rate of 8.9 deaths per 100,000 population Canada has the fifth lowest rate compared to traffic fatality rates among 30 OECD countries 221,158 people injured 24,403 hospital admissions for traffic related injuries Economic cost of traffic collisions is $25 billion annually: property losses, health care costs, lost productivity and absenteeism Source: Transport Canada

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38% of fatally injured drivers who were tested had been drinking alcohol (1,056) 85% of alcohol related fatalities had blood levels in excess of the Canadian Criminal Code limit of 80 mg% There has been a reduction in alcohol related crashes due to increased enforcement, tougher sanctions through legislation, education and social pressure The statistics are still unacceptably high Source: Transport Canada

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Government interventions – laws mandating the use of seat belts and child restraints More stringent drinking and driving sanctions Public education Enforcement campaigns Safer vehicles Road infrastructure enhancements Improved medical response and trauma care Source: Transport Canada Since 1982, the collision death rate has decreased by almost 50%. This reduction is due to:

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70% of Canadians believe that truck drivers who are tired are a serious problem 67 % of Canadians are very concerned about the use of drugs to keep awake 70 % of Canadians believe that trucks that do not meet legal maintenance standards are a serious problem There is a safety risk due to the large numbers of trucks on the road Most Canadians favour more stringent safety regulations – zero alcohol limit, more frequent inspections, random drug and alcohol testing and license testing of commercial operators every 5 years. Canadians are worried about truckers’ ability to stay alert. 2004 Survey findings include: Source: Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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In 2001 in Canada, motor vehicle collisions were responsible for 31% of all work-related traumatic fatalities (approximately 275) and 10,000 lost time injuries. These figures do not include workers not covered by workers compensation or those workers hurt while off the job or on their way to or from work. Canada Safety Council

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Source: Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board 38% 15% 14% 5% 5% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Motor Vehicle Accidents Accident caused by Machinery Fall Accidentally struck by falling object Accident caused by electric current Miscellaneous

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“Driving – even under ideal conditions – is a complex cognitive/motor skills task that requires operators to exercise ability and judgment as they navigate at close quarters in a dynamic environment.” IAPA Accident Prevention Magazine March/April 2004

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Inclement weather Hazardous road conditions More commuters due to suburban sprawl Aggressive drivers/road rage Lack of formal training Wide use of mobile telematics: cell phones, wireless computers, pagers, navigational aids Psychosocial-stress, personal troubles, work disputes, impairment

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Elaborate entertainment systems in the vehicle – the “boom” generation Road and Traffic Design Lack of Enforcement Substance Abuse

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“The risk of crashing a vehicle is just as high or higher today despite the advent of safer cars with antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, improved suspension, better chassis design, air bags, improved tires and safety harnesses.” Doug Annett – Skid Control School, Oakville, Ontario

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Today’s drivers are not as well trained as one might think. Fewer new drivers are getting formal training. In Ontario, only 40% of all new drivers get any formal training. IAPA Accident Prevention Magazine March/April 2004

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Ensuring that any equipment, including a company vehicle, is maintained in good condition Supervision of the employee Special driver training In Ontario, employers are required to show due diligence under the Occupational Health and safety act when part of the work involves driving. An employer is responsible for:

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Develop proactive policies Develop and implement safety, maintenance and training policies Set safety specifications for vehicles Monitor and update policies with respect to maintenance and driver competence Enforce seat belt use Implement fitness for duty policy Develop policy on use of cell phones and other telematics Source: Mark Diacur, VP, Transportation H&S Association of Ontario

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IAPA is committed to protecting the safety and health of its employees. As part of its overall Health & Safety Program, IAPA has adopted a program to support and endorse driver and vehicle safety. This program includes surveillance of drivers’ licenses and insurance coverage, regular automobile inspection and driver inspection.

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Defensive driver training after date of hire Review training and assessment every 3 years Supply proof of valid driver’s license and insurance annually Vehicle inspections and emission inspections on a regular basis Cell phone policy – no use while driving Elements of the driver safety program include:

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To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right. Confucius:

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“We must be the change we wish to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi