Maureen C. Shaw, President

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Road Safety Local Strategies for a Global Problem
April 12, 2004
Maureen C. Shaw, President CEO Industrial
Accident Prevention Association
(IAPA) 1-800-406-IAPA (4272) www.iapa.ca
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Road Safety The Canadian Experience
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Canadian Profile

• Canada is one of the largest countries in the
  world
• Its 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
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2001 Canadian Statistics

• 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
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2001 Canadian Statistics - Alcohol Related Crashes

• 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
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Collision Death Rates
Since 1982, the collision death rate has
decreased by almost 50. This reduction is due to

• 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 care

Source Transport Canada
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Trucks on Canada's Roads
Canadians are worried about truckers ability to
stay alert. 2004 Survey findings include

• 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.

Source Traffic Injury Research Foundation
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Workplace Motor Vehicle Accidents
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
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Ontario Traumatic Fatalities 1999-2002
1
1
1
1
2
1
Miscellaneous
2
2
2
3
Motor Vehicle Accidents
38
3
Accident caused by electric current
5
5
Accidentally struck by falling object
14
Fall
15
Accident caused by Machinery
Source Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board
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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
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Some Contributing Conditions to Crashes

• 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

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Some Contributing Conditions to Crashes...cont'd

• Elaborate entertainment systems in the vehicle
  the boom generation
• Road and Traffic Design
• Lack of Enforcement
• Substance Abuse

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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
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Todays 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
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Employers' Responsibility
In Ontario, employers are required to show due
diligence under the Occupational Health and
safety act when part of the work involves driving.
An employer is responsible for

• Ensuring that any equipment, including a company
  vehicle, is maintained in good condition
• Supervision of the employee
• Special driver training

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Steps to setting up a corporate safe driving
program

• 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 HS
Association of Ontario
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IAPA's Driver Safety Policy
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.
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IAPA's Driver Safety Policy
Elements of the driver safety program include

• Defensive driver training after date of hire
• Review training and assessment every 3 years
• Supply proof of valid drivers license and
  insurance annually
• Vehicle inspections and emission inspections on a
  regular basis
• Cell phone policy no use while driving

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Confucius
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.
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We must be the change we wish to see in the
world
Mahatma Gandhi