As modern technologies like new mobility devices change the way drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians navigate traffic on B.C. roads, Metro Vancouver leaders are calling on the provincial government to prioritize road safety.
This week is the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and leaders from New Westminster, Langley City, and Vancouver joined Vision Zero Vancouver and Better Environmentally Sound Transportation to talk about road safety.
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone was among those who made comments on the issue.
“Road deaths are not inevitable, but prevention requires more than just education of individual road users,” Johnstone said.
“The Province is a critical partner in creating a coordinated system that includes safer street design, appropriate speeds, consistent rules, public education and reliable data. Residents want safer streets, and want clear, province-wide regulations on e-scooters and other emerging mobility devices that protect everyone on our roads, bike paths and sidewalks.”
Speaking of e-scooters, over the past few months, there have been notable reports of incidents involving this convenient mode of transportation, including death and serious injury.
Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal echoed Johnstone’s sentiments.
“People are using a much wider range of mobility devices than our current legislation anticipated,” Pachal said.
“The Province needs to update the Motor Vehicle Act so seniors, people with disabilities and people using newer forms of transportation can travel safely and independently. A patchwork of local rules is not an effective long-term solution.”
Vancouver Councillor Lucy Maloney also chimed in.
“Municipalities are taking action to protect people walking, cycling, rolling and driving, but creating safer streets requires sustained commitment and coordination from every level of government,” Maloney said.
The key message from the UBCM meeting is that local municipalities are ready to work on improving road safety, but that they need help from other levels of government to take action.
“Vision Zero starts from the principle that no one should be killed or seriously injured simply because they are trying to get from one place to another,” said Margie Sanderson, Director of Organizing for Vision Zero Vancouver.
“We applaud the leadership of Mayor Johnstone, Mayor Pachal, Councillor Maloney and the municipalities advancing these resolutions, which would give local governments stronger tools and provincial support to put Vision Zero into practice.”
Last week, we learned that ICBC was going to be upgrading 140 traffic cameras across the province with “modern technology,” which includes higher-resolution cameras, to improve safety on some B.C. roads.