December 29, 2009
(Red Deer, Alberta) – What began in 2007 as a study on Red Deer traffic collision statistics is now an annual publication designed to increase awareness about traffic safety issues. Red Deer’s 2007 Traffic Collision Report details collision statistics and will act as a baseline for comparing future studies.
Rebecca Clark, Traffic Engineer with The City, believes this report will be an important tool for reducing the number of traffic accidents on Red Deer’s city streets.
“By releasing this report annually and comparing the statistics from year to year, we will be better able to identify the progress we’re making in reducing collisions, as well as the areas that still need some work ,” said Clark. “In most cases, traffic collisions are preventable, and it’s essential that Red Deerians understand the role they play in traffic safety.”
In 2007, there were 4,210 reported motor vehicle collisions on public streets and public parking lots in Red Deer, an 11.7 per cent increase from 2006. The most common types of collisions recorded were rear end collisions (24 per cent) caused mainly by drivers following other vehicles too closely, while reversing into another vehicle was the second most common type of collision, at 18 per cent.
Red Deer’s traffic trends are affected by many factors, including rapid growth and a young population. The report reflects these factors and highlights areas identified in the 2007 – 2010 Traffic Safety Action Plan, which aimed to reduce the number of casualties in traffic collisions through five key target areas.
“Since the Traffic Safety Action Plan was released, we have seen increased awareness about the importance of traffic safety among Red Deer drivers," said Cpl Al Nickolson with the Red Deer RCMP. "Unfortunately, the task of driving is sometimes taken too lightly, but if drivers pay attention and slow down, they will not only help reduce the number of collisions, they will also help save lives and reduce injuries."
To view the report:
http://www.reddeer.ca/City+Government/City+Services+and+Departments/Engineering/Traffic/Red+Deer+Annual+Collision+Report.htm
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For more information contact:
Rebecca Clark Cpl Al Nickolson
Traffic Engineer Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Engineering department Municipal Traffic Services
The City of Red Deer Red Deer City Detachment
403-342-8762 403-406-2228
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