A road safety group is hoping that a closer partnership with the City of North Bay’s Engineering Department than previous safety initiatives will lead to greater results.
Vision Zero is a multi-national traffic safety initiative based on the philosophy that no one should be killed or seriously injured within the road transport system and is comprised of parties involved with the transportation of people on the roadways.
“The Vision Zero is the Swedish approach to road safety thinking. It can be summarized in one sentence: No loss of life is acceptable. The Vision Zero approach has proven highly successful. It is based on the simple fact that we are human and make mistakes. The road system needs to keep us moving. But it must also be designed to protect us at every turn.”
Video courtesy of Vision Zero Initiative – Sweden via YouTube
The main goal of Vision Zero is to achieve zero fatalities or serious injuries on the road through Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Evaluation, and Engagement. The movement began in 1997 in Sweden and officials say it has proven highly successful. The safety initiative has spread to North America, with a dozen Vision Zero chapters now found in Canada, including one in Edmonton (see video below).
City Council has endorsed the group and Vision Zero will meet with the next Council. The North Bay Vision Zero Committee will work in an advisory capacity to provide recommendations to the Engineering Department that fit within the Vision Zero traffic safety initiative.
Video courtesy of Vision Zero Edmonton via YouTube
