CAN - Traffic safety blitz too short
Traffic safety blitz too short
In Transit by Ed Drass
August 05, 2008 05:50
The numbers are in for this year’s attempt to coax road users into paying more attention around transit vehicles, and Toronto police issued significantly more tickets than in 2007.
The annual week-long “TTC safety etiquette” blitz began July 21 and motorists were caught doing things like using high-occupancy vehicle lanes at the wrong time or making turns that interfere with buses or streetcars.
Police traffic officers say the higher results are “off track” — although one measure was lower compared to the 2007 blitz: Tickets for passing open streetcar doors.
Safety isn’t the only issue — transit vehicles can move faster when cars stay out of “diamond” lanes during peak hours or obey “no parking or stopping” rules.
Road users might lose some of their bad habits with prolonged enforcement, but our society doesn’t make this a high priority. We might use more police or cameras to deal with traffic violations, but we don’t.
The next big problem is walking, cycling or driving while listening to music or talking on the phone — some people are becoming more distracted and risking not only their safety but everyone else who shares the sidewalks and roads.
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