Many experts believe that a decrease in the number of deaths and injuries on Quebec’s roads could lead to more severe consequences for risky behavior.
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“Should we wait until we have a road record where there are so many fatalities on our roads? It has to stop, it costs lives,” says Professor Martin Lavallière of UQAC’s Department of Health Sciences.
“All users need to understand that no one owns the road and sharing is necessary. We need to collectively say ‘enough is enough,'” said Marco Harrison, director of the CAA-Quebec Foundation and an expert on road safety.
And hopeless consequences
The latter, fearing higher fines, believe more enforcement measures could force drivers to adopt safer habits.
“Sometimes you have to have the political courage to push for these decisions,” says Martin Lavallière.
For his part, Mr. Harrison, like many other provinces, believes that the Quebec government should impose administrative fines on drivers once a blood alcohol level of 50 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.05) is detected.
The latter saw a significant reduction in alcohol-related accidents.
“It helps people plan their journeys better when drinking,” he points out, and calls on authorities to take inspiration from measures taken by various Scandinavian countries and world leaders in terms of road safety.
Despite many road safety activities, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) sees tons of violations on our roads.
“A crackdown shouldn’t bring about behavioral change, but unfortunately it does. People remember it long after receiving a report. Citizens need to be vigilant in practicing responsible behaviour,” said Ann Mathew, spokeswoman for the SQ.
