Current Road Safety Concerns
(June 2019) As many Midland employees are on the road every day,
we are highly devoted to road safety initiatives. Last month, we celebrated #NationalRoadSafetyWeek and highlighted
the role our Fleet Safety team plays in ensuring safe driving practices among our
drivers. This month, we cover an important topic for professional drivers and
commuters alike by looking into the most prominent issues facing road safety in
2019.
Distracted Driving
Technology is great! It allows us to stay informed, connect with peers and
loved ones, navigate unfamiliar territory, and provides an unlimited source of
information. On the road, however, distracted driving (especially with regards
to cellphones) has quickly become the main contributor to road incidents. In
fact, distracted driving was reported to play a part in nearly 80% of road
collisions last year.
Impaired Driving
With the legalization of recreational cannabis, we should be reminded of
the effects of impaired driving. The National Institute on Drug Abuse found
that cannabis impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. For this
reason, it is extremely dangerous to drive while under the influence of
cannabis or any other substance with impairing effects.
Aggressive
Driving
Life happens and we’re all glad instant coffee, fast food, and power bars
exist. Driving recklessly or aggressively to make up for lost time is never a
good idea. Speeding, running red lights,
tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are all examples of reckless
driving that put more than just yourself at risk. Other road users, construction
workers, and pedestrians are all put in danger when someone decides to drive irresponsibly.
Statistics Canada shows that 27% of fatalities and 19% of serious injuries on
the road are caused as a result of reckless driving.
The good news? Since 2016, the Canada Council
for Motor Transport Administration has been working through a comprehensive
road safety strategy titled “Towards Zero: The Safest Roads in the World”. This plan is designed to combat the emerging issues through public
awareness and encouraging compliance with laws pertaining to road safety.
For more information about road safety, visit the links
below:
www.cacp.ca/canada-road-safety-week.html?mid=437
www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/talking-about-drugs/driving-impaired-drug.html
www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving
www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
roadsafetystrategy.ca/files/RSS-2025-Report-January-2016-with%20cover.pdf
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/tp-tp15145-1201.htm#s32