July 12, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – The number of collisions in Red Deer may have decreased one and a half per cent from 2007 to 2008, but statistics from the 2008 Annual Traffic Collision Report show that, as in 2007, collisions on Red Deer’s roadways were largely preventable in 2008.
These statistics show that more care needs to be taken when people are driving on city streets, especially at intersections, according to Rebecca Clark, Traffic Engineer with The City of Red Deer.
“When it comes to collisions on our roadways, there are no accidents,” said Clark. “The report shows that careless driving practices, more than anything else, are creating problems on our roadways.”
In 2008, there were 4,161 reported motor vehicle collisions on public streets and public parking lots in Red Deer, a 1.5 per cent decrease from 2007. While the number of injuries as a result of collisions decreased by 11.5 per cent from 2007 to 2008, the number of fatalities increased from three to five. Additional areas of concern were the rising number of collisions with pedestrians, from 28 to 40, and with cyclists, from 19 to 31.
Clark cited improper driving actions as the main contributing factor in these disturbing statistics. “When 24 per cent of all collision types are a result of one driver rear-ending another, we can see that drivers are following others too closely or not paying proper attention to the driving task – something that is easily prevented. Two fatalities in 2008 were a result of impaired driving, while two were a result of speeding – tragedies that, again, could have been easily prevented.”
Drivers should take care to slow down, avoid driving aggressively, and pay attention for pedestrians and cyclists, urged Clark. “Drivers are responsible for these statistics, and only drivers can improve them.”
The Annual Traffic Collision Report began in 2007 as a way to increase awareness about traffic safety issues. Releasing the report annually allows The City to compare statistics from year to year and determine the progress being made in reducing collisions. The 2007 Traffic Collision Report acted as a baseline for comparing future studies that will be released on an annual basis.
More information about the Annual Traffic Collision Report can be found at www.reddeer.ca/engineering.
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For more information, please contact:
Rebecca Clark
Traffic Engineer
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8762
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