At the beginning of the construction holidays, the Sûreté du Québec reminds the population to increase their presence on the streets.
Posted at 1:15am. Updated at 5:00 p.m.
It’s not just necessary, it’s vital.
The last few weeks have been marked by a deterioration in road safety, which frankly is a cause for concern.
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 young father’s construction site, killing him and hitting his colleague, who escaped injured.
In late June, a 22-year-old woman, Dilan Kaya, was hit by a truck while crossing the street north of the city. Heartbroken, his father goes to the corner of Rue Bélair and 22nd Avenue every day to challenge the authorities. Residents of the district had pointed out the danger of this crossing several times in recent years. Their anger since the accident is reminiscent of that of the residents of Labelle and Rivière-Rouge, who denounced the dangers of Route 117 a few years ago.
What’s happening on the streets of Quebec?
According to the organization Piétons Québec, 79 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2022, a 22.7% increase, the highest road toll in 15 years.
In 2022, the SAAQ counted 392 deaths on Quebec’s roads, 45 more than in 2021, a 13.2% increase compared to 2017-2021.
The tragic death of little Mariia, 7, last December was thought to have sent a chill and alerted motorists to be extra careful. And we want motorists to be more vigilant by introducing stops and speed limits. Unfortunately, while these reassurances have proven effective, they do not solve everything.
The proof ? After the death of little Mariia, motorists were observed carrying out dangerous maneuvers in Centre-Sud under the eyes of the police officers tasked with patrolling the intersection… It’s heartbreaking.
Does that mean cities should sit back and watch the carnage without batting an eyelid? Of course not.
We must continue to step up traffic calming measures by ensuring that cities can intervene quickly on their own territory. Has the law requiring the involvement 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 also need to think about the presence of heavy trucks on the roads, as we argued in December 2021.
We also advocated installing speed cameras at problematic intersections last May.
However, you have to be honest and realize that the problem is with the car.
The number of vehicles is growing in Montreal, an island that is not resilient to the latest news.
An average of 8,800 vehicles are added to the metropolis every year. They are not only more numerous, but also wider, higher, heavier and therefore more dangerous.
Behind the wheel of these vehicles are sometimes impatient, tired, busy, angry, distracted and reckless people. People in a hurry speed up when they should slow down. Who doesn’t stop. And who forgets that a vehicle can become a weapon?
According to SAAQ, almost three quarters of Quebec drivers do not obey speed limits. And almost as many (70%) exceed the speed limit in 30 km/h zones, i.e. school zones. We cross pedestrian crossings at our own risk, whereas elsewhere in the world and in the rest of the country, cars stop as soon as a pedestrian’s big toe touches the first strip of paint on the road.
France has just amended its penal code related to road accidents. From now on we will use the term “road homicide” and not “manslaughter” to describe an accident in which a motorist acted negligently (texting while driving, alcohol, speed, etc.). This change was made at the request of victims’ families, who wanted the seriousness of the crimes committed to be recognized according to their fair value.
The choice of words is not innocent and may help to sensitize even the most careless motorist.
We should do the same in Quebec.
At the same time, motorists are reminded 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 has to present a road safety plan at the beginning of the school year. We are waiting impatiently.
It takes political courage to stand up to motorists. It’s a matter of life or death.