A Snapshot of Road Safety in B.C. Communities
Author(s): Mavis Johnson
Slidedeck Presentation Only (no paper submitted):
Abstract:
Background/Context: As part of the British Columbia Road Safety Strategy, the Safe Roads and Communities Working Committee conducted a survey of municipalities around B.C. The co-authors are co-Chairs of the Committee.
Aims/Objectives: The survey was aimed at understanding what stage municipalities were at in terms of their road safety planning and the key road safety issues they were facing. The survey also asked municipal staff and elected officials to identify key issues, challenges and opportunities related to road safety in their jurisdiction, stakeholders whom they engaged, data sources they make use of, and indication of the level of funding dedicated to road safety.
Methods/Target Group: All municipalities in B.C. The survey was sent to the Senior Officer within the Municipality, such as the Chief Operating Officer or Chief Administrator. We also requested they sought assistance in their response from their leaders in transportation/public works and policing.
Results/Activities: Sixteen questions, some with multiple-responses and others with open-ended responses, were developed. These included an indication of what road safety plans and programs, if any, they had in place. Responses were received from 81 of 189 municipalities. Municipalities were divided into small, mid-size and large municipalities, based on population, and the responses were stratified by municipality size.
Discussion/Deliverables: The responses revealed that although road safety was considered important in most municipalities, very few have formally articulated mandates to improving road safety in their community. It is necessary for communities to have access to the knowledge and resources to address road safety issues within their municipalities. As a result, the committee developed a set of tools and resources that communities can use towards managing road safety. This was based on the Safer City concepts that the Insurance Corporation of B.C. had launched in the mid 1990’s and knowledge resources such as the Community Traffic Manual. The presentation will highlight the survey results as well as the key components of the road safety toolkit.