Lesson in Traffic Safety: A Possible Exchange Between Canada and the U.S.

Lesson in Traffic Safety: A Possible Exchange Between Canada and the U.S.

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Canada has seen a significant drop in road fatalities over the past decade, while the United States has experienced an unfortunate surge. According to a recent study, the number of traffic deaths in Canada fell by 18% between 2011 and 2020, with the number of crash deaths among young drivers dropping by 52%. In contrast, the U.S. saw a 33% increase in traffic fatalities from 2011 to 2021, reaching 43,230.

Researchers from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Canada's Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) suggest that the U.S. could substantially reduce road deaths by adopting evidence-based laws that have proven effective in Canada. The study found that policy differences between the two countries have contributed significantly to the divergent fatality trends.

One of the key factors contributing to Canada's success is its adoption of the "Safe System" approach. This approach focuses on preventing fatal and severe crashes through overlapping layers of protection. Key Canadian policies under this framework include:

• Broad distracted driving bans covering mobile phone use
• Stricter seat belt laws requiring use by all occupants, including rear passengers
• Extensive deployment of speed safety cameras to enforce speed limits
• Lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits with administrative penalties, even at low BAC levels
• Police authority to demand roadside breath tests from any driver without suspicion, with refusal considered a criminal offense
• Engineering and operational road design guided by the Safe System approach

The study calls for the U.S. to adopt "Safe System" policies to reverse fatality trends and meet IIHS's 30x30 target, a goal to reduce road deaths by 30% by 2030. To achieve this, the U.S. could adopt similar policies such as enacting and uniformly enforcing stronger distracted driving laws, mandating seat belt use for all vehicle occupants, expanding the use of automated speed enforcement cameras, implementing lower legal BAC limits with administrative sanctions, granting law enforcement authority to conduct random roadside breath testing without suspicion, and adopting a holistic Safe System approach in road design and operations.

Public education and transparent stakeholder consultation are also critical elements of success in adopting the "Safe System" approach. If the U.S. were to implement these evidence-based policies, it could potentially lower its road death toll, though still facing an upward trend. Canada, currently ranked 14th among high-income countries in road safety performance, serves as a shining example of what can be achieved with a comprehensive and committed approach to road safety.

[1] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) [2] Canada's Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) [3] Transport Canada [4] Public Safety Canada [5] World Health Organization (WHO) Global status report on road safety 2020

1. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Canada's Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) are crucial entities contributting to improved road safety.
2. These organizations are advocating for the adoption of evidence-based laws to reduce road fatalities in the United States.
3. The 'Safe System' approach, adopted by Canada, aims to prevent fatal and severe crashes through various layers of protection.
4. Broad distracted driving bans in Canada cover mobile phone use, contributing to road safety.
5. Stricter seat belt laws require use by all occupants, not just the driver, as a key safety measure.
6. Speed safety cameras are extensively deployed in Canada to enforce speed limits.
7. Canada has lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits and administrative penalties, even at low levels.
8. Refusal to undergo roadside breath tests in Canada is considered a criminal offense.
9. Engineers and operators in Canada are guided by the Safe System approach in road design.
10. The U.S. could adopt similar policies such as enacting and enforcing stronger distracted driving laws.
11. Mandating seat belt use for all vehicle occupants is another measure the U.S. could consider.
12. Expanding the use of automated speed enforcement cameras could help reduce road fatalities.
13. Implementing lower legal BAC limits with administrative sanctions is another suggested policy.
14. Granting law enforcement authority to conduct random roadside breath testing without suspicion is also proposed.
15. Adopting a holistic Safe System approach in road design and operations is critical for the U.S. to achieve safety goals.
16. Public education and stakeholder consultation are crucial in adopting the 'Safe System' approach.
17. Canada ranks 14th among high-income countries in road safety performance.
18. The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global status report on road safety 2020 provides valuable insights.
19. Improved road safety can lead to a significant drop in road fatalities over a decade.
20. Cancer is a chronic disease that often requires medical-conditions and treatments.
21. Respiratory conditions, such as asthma, can significantly impact a person's health and wellness.
22. Digestive-health issues like IBS or celiac disease can affect one's quality of life.
23. Eye-health is crucial for maintaining a good lifestyle and can be affected by conditions like glaucoma or cataracts.
24. Hearing loss, a common issue, can be addressed through therapies and treatments.
25. Fitness and exercise are essential for maintaining cardiovascular-health and overall health-and-wellness.
26. Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus require management to maintain a good quality of life.
27. Climate change has far-reaching effects on health, including environmental-science, such as air pollution and infectious diseases.

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