Canadian Road Safety News Digest – September 1-30, 2022
Could artificial intelligence catch distracted drivers in Edmonton? U of A piloting program
September 13, 2022, ICBC (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
A new pilot project in Edmonton is using artificial intelligence to detect drivers who are using their cellphone while behind the wheel.
The three-week pilot, led by the University of Alberta, aims to determine the prevalence of distracted driving in the city and test whether artificial intelligence is effective at catching distracted drivers.
US traffic deaths dip in Q2 but still high as pandemic eases
September 19, 2022, Yahoo Finance (DETROIT, US)
The number of people killed on U.S. roadways fell slightly from April through June, the first decline in two years as pandemic-era reckless driving appeared to ease. But the government says the number of deaths remains at a crisis level.
Estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 20,175 people died in crashes from January through June, a 0.5% increase over the same period last year.
New West launches pilot project aimed at improving pedestrian safety
September 20, 2022, New Westminster record (NEW WESTMINISTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA)
Pedestrians are getting a head start when they cross at a busy intersection in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood.
A new “leading pedestrian interval” pilot project has been installed at the 12th Street and Third Avenue intersection. It’s the first leading pedestrian interval (LPI) crossing in New West, which give pedestrians a several-second head start to cross the road before the parallel light turns green – increasing the visibility of pedestrians and improving pedestrian-vehicle safety.
School Zones and the Traffic Safety Act
September 22, 2022, Penticton Herald (REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN)
While vehicle-pedestrian collisions are thankfully rare, they can and do happen in urban centres of all different sizes and in all cases, the child comes out on the losing end of the collision. A license to drive a motor vehicle is not a right, it is a privilege and going hand-in-hand with that privilege is the responsibility to know and follow the rules of the road.
Scientific Oddity: Japanese researchers testing motorized eyes to aid AV-pedestrian safety
September 26, 2022, CollisionRrpair Mag (TOKYO, JAPAN)
Bodywork meets arts and crafts with the University of Tokyo’s latest project: researchers from the university have developed a cutting-edge pair of motorized eyes for autonomous vehicles, intended to help alert pedestrians to whether they’ve been seen by the vehicle.
Unlike today’s vehicles, future AVs may not have human drivers, and will therefore need to be equipped with the ability to telegraph “driver” intent to pedestrians.
'A bad idea': Road safety concerns after Alberta cuts 2nd test for new drivers
September 27, 2022, CTV News (EDMONTON, ALBERTA)
Michele Dimitrisin has been driving on a graduated driver's license (GDL) for five years, and even though a government "red tape" slash announced Tuesday benefits her, she's a little worried about potential impacts.
More data needed on drug-impaired driving: CSAM report
September 29, 2022, DATAC
According to the findings of a new report released by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, more data is needed about drug-impaired driving. Specifically, the report states that medical examiners and police do not provide enough information for policy makers, decision makers, and road and public safety practitioners to better understand and address the extent and impact of drug-impaired driving in Canada.
Canadian Events & Conferences in 2022
BIKER DOWN – EMPOWERING MOTORCYCLISTS TO SAVE ANOTHER BIKER’S LIFE
October 18, 2022
PARACHUTE’S NATIONAL TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK
October 06-22, 2022
2nd International Road Safety Symposium
October 31- November 2, 2022
CARSP’S FALL WEBINAR SERIES
September-December, 2022
ARRIVE ALIVE CONFERENCE
November 6-7, 2022
Learn more