Vision Zero
Through the Road Safety Strategy (2024), the municipality adopts the principle of Vision Zero. Through this vision, the municipality’s goal is to maintain a downward trend in the rate of fatal and serious injuries from collisions per 100,000 residents.
Vision Zero is an internationally recognized road safety concept first introduced in the 1990s in Sweden. Adopted around the world, Vision Zero asserts fatalities and serious injuries on our roads are preventable, and that prevention is our shared responsibility. The Road Safety Strategy adopts the principle of Vision Zero and the related Safe System approach to road safety.
How we will achieve it
The Road Safety Strategy’s Vision Zero is achieved through a number or initiatives like physical changes to roads (engineering), working with key partners and sharing information that teaches people how to safely use our roads (education and engagement) and collaborating with our partners to ensure road user behaviour that is risky and against the law is appropriately addressed (enforcement).
At the heart of our strategy, and underlying the Vision Zero philosophy, is the Safe System Approach – naming six components of road safety as outlined in Transportation Association of Canada’s Vision Zero documentation that work individually and together to reduce the occurrence of serious injuries and fatalities.
The six components of the Safe System Approach are as follows. Some of these components are the direct responsibility of the Municipality, while others require collaboration with other levels of government and external groups.
Safe Speeds:
Manage operating speeds to reduce the risk and severity of collisions.
Safe Road Users:
Road Safety is a shared responsibility between the agencies that design, build and maintain roads, and those that use the roads.
Safe Vehicles:
Regulate, design and maintain vehicles to minimize the risk and severity of collisions.
Safe Road Design:
Design, operate and maintain road infrastructure to reduce the risk of collision.
Post Crash Care:
Deliver fast and effective emergency response when collisions do occur, to save lives and improve recovery outcomes.
Safe Land Use Planning:
Create complete communities that offer a variety of safe, affordable, convenient, and accessible travel choices for all residents.