La Croisée follows United Nation’s lead on road safety

The United Nations marked the fourth annual UN Global Road Safety Week by encouraging communities worldwide to participate in the “Save Lives: Slow Down” campaign to promote speed reduction as a vital tool for saving lives. This year more than 500 communities participated globally. La Croisée Community Association in Aylmer held one of only four other registered events in Canada on Saturday, May 20 at Parc La Croisée.

The World Health Organization states that “1.25 million people die every year on the world’s roads. Close to half of those tragic deaths are caused by drivers going faster than the posted speed limits.” WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan stated in a news release, “Speed is at the core of the global traffic injury problem.”

Larry Prickett, President of La Croisée Community Association, is trying to apply this message within his neighbourhood by lobbying for safer streets.

 

As part of the event, approximately 50 children and their families participated in the 2.2 km bike ride around the neighbourhood to help raise awareness around speed reduction. Vélo-Service and the Gatineau Police Bike Patrol provided safety and maintenance sessions. Mobi-O, Pro-Cycle and the City of Gatineau were also in support. City Councillor Mike Duggan was onsite for the event. He stated, “In Aylmer, the safety of pedestrians and cyclists is a big
problem”. 

The 40 km speed limit is posted once at the entrance to their community on rue du Golf. “There has been some discussion from the City about setting the limit at 50 km,” said Prickett. Speeding is common on du Golf, according to residents, and there are many instances of dangerous driving along that road. “I’m talking about community street life,” Prickett added. “If you want a shared space where people are walking at night, people are cycling, you can’t set the speed limit at 50.” His hope for the community is to enhance the quality of life for everyone by challenging the idea that the needs of vehicles have priority over shared usage of public space.

The city is planning three tests this summer to study traffic on du Golf. That road meets the traffic volume requirement to warrant a study. Prickett predicts studies will show design flaws such as two-sided parking on 9-metre-wide streets. The smaller, surrounding roads do not meet the volume requirements for a study. The Association says it will try for change through community actions such as petitions to the City to implement traffic-calming measures.

La Croisée faces a unique challenge where traffic is concerned because the Gatineau Golf and Country Club is located within their community. Patrons of the golf course who don’t live in the area are of particular concern. They may have a few drinks at the clubhouse bar after a round of golf, then drive through their community without being adequately sensitized to dangers of speeding through that neighbourhood. The golf course has said it will aid in informing its patrons of local speed limits and asking them to respect the community by posting signage at the club exit.

Mr Prickett emphasised that no one measure will succeed on its own. He added, “No matter what you do with infrastructure, no matter how many police officers, no matter how many radars you have on the road, it’s up to you behind the wheel.” Reducing speed saves lives. It’s a simple message that we’ve heard many times but has the added virtue of being true.