Maureen C. Shaw, President & CEOIndustrial Accident Prevention Association

(IAPA)1-800-406-IAPA (4272) www.iapa.ca

Road Safety

The Canadian Experienc

e

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

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

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

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 careSource: Transport Canada

Since 1982, the collision death rate has decreased by almost Since 1982, the collision death rate has decreased by almost 50%. This reduction is due to:50%. This reduction is due to:

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 Canadians are worried about truckers’ ability to stay alert. 2004 Survey findings include:Survey findings include:

Source: Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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

Source: Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance BoardSource: 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 MachineryFall

Accidentally struck by falling

object

Accident caused by electric current

Miscellaneous

“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

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

Elaborate entertainment systems in the vehicle – the “boom” generation

Road and Traffic Design

Lack of Enforcement

Substance Abuse

“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

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

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 In Ontario, employers are required to show due diligence under the the Occupational Health and safety actOccupational Health and safety act when part of the work when part of the work involves driving.involves driving.

An employer is responsible for:

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

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.

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: Elements of the driver safety program include:

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:Confucius:

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

Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi