Summary of the brief submitted by CAA-Quebec to the Commission des transports et de l’environnement as part of the special consultations on Bill 48
Summary of the brief submitted by CAA-Quebec to the Commission des transports et de l’environnement as part of the special consultations on Bill 48, An Act to amend mainly the Highway Safety Code to introduce provisions relating to detection systems and other highway safety-related provisions
1) A police presence is still the best way to ensure compliance with the Highway Safety Code. In situations where this is difficult, automated detection devices are effective monitoring tools.
2) These devices are not a panacea, i.e., an automatic and universal solution. As a complement to police surveillance, their use must meet specific conditions.
3) CAA-Quebec recommends that future sites for automated detection devices be selected based on:
a. Significant risks and features that are very likely to cause accidents
b. Transparent and public data and analysis
4) CAA-Quebec recommends keeping the following three conditions for determining the appropriateness of installing an automated detection device where a speed and road safety issue has been identified and where conventional surveillance is not possible:
a. Clear signage so that drivers can see the devices from a good distance
b. Transparency about their management and use, including accountability regarding equipment performance, accident reduction and fines
c. Quick and effective administrative follow-up, so that in accordance with centralized governance at the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, the new monetary administrative penalties do not affect the road safety fund, Fonds de la sécurité routière; CAA-Quebec is not in favour of extending the current period for submitting an offense notice.
5) School zones: CAA-Quebec considers that if school zones must be prioritized for the installation of automated detection devices, this must be based on specific criteria, including a proven speeding problem, adequate signage and hours of operation limited to the school year.
6) Shared streets and bikeways: CAA-Quebec does not agree with installing automated detection devices in these areas—which are specific situations with special rules—to deal with drivers who fail to comply with the reduced speeds (at 20 or 30 km/h). These situations should be subject to special measures other than installing automated detection devices, which are perceived as being used to generate traffic tickets and revenue without any effect on improving safety.
7) Protection of vulnerable road users: CAA-Quebec supports this priority but reiterates that automated detection devices are not a panacea. We must encourage measures that encourage all road users to adopt more prudent behaviours, in accordance with the principles of the Vision Zero strategy.
8) Drunk driving: CAA-Quebec invites the government to consider introducing administrative penalties for blood alcohol concentrations between 50 mg/100 ml and 80 mg/100 ml. Quebec is the only Canadian province that doesn’t use them, even though they have already proven their effectiveness.
9) Green light to protect road workers: CAA-Quebec believes that it is possible to increase the visibility of tow trucks and the safety of patrollers when they are working outside vehicles. It is already implementing various safety measures to protect its own employees and those of its partners, in accordance with the CNESST guide. Despite all this, these workers still risk their lives too often during roadside interventions. Authorizing tow trucks to be equipped with amber and green bi-colour revolving lights or flashing lights that can be activated when working alongside roadways should be considered whether or not the tow truck is responding to an emergency.