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REPORT RAPPORT |
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REPORT RAPPORT |
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DATE: |
20 April 2004 |
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TO: |
Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board |
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FROM: |
Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service |
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SUBJECT: |
RECOMMENDATION
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That
the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information. |
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BACKGROUND
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Our 2002 Public Survey identified that traffic enforcement and road safety remain top concerns in Ottawa neighbourhoods. Consequently, the draft 2004-2006 Business Plan sets traffic and road safety as one of the key short-term priorities. In preparing an operational strategy and response to this issue, the Ottawa Police devised a proposal to launch a high intensity, specialty enforcement unit focusing on speeding vehicles and aggressive drivers. This initiative also coincided with the Enforcement portion of the Triple ‘E’ objectives of the Integrated Road Safety Plan, jointly prepared with the City of Ottawa Transportation, Utilities and Public Works (TUPW) department. With the support of Ottawa City Council, the enforcement initiative was formally launched in January 2004. The following report presents a summary of Ottawa Police enforcement activities during the initial three months of 2004, along with data on the number of fatalities during the same period. Additional data on the number of injuries and collisions since 2000 is also presented. This snapshot will be repeated each quarter as we continue to monitor and evaluate our traffic enforcement activities. |
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DISCUSSION
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The Ottawa Police and City of Ottawa’s Triple ‘E’
approach – Enforcement, Education, and Engineering – encompassed in the
Integrated Road Safety Plan is intended to influence driver behaviour,
realign driving norms consistent with the rules of the road and, by
extension, reduce motor vehicle accidents and improve traffic safety for the
community. In recognition of World Health Day, Mayor Chiarelli
declared April 7th Road Safety Day in the City of Ottawa to raise awareness
of the health and social impacts of motor vehicle accidents. This is an initial step in educating
drivers and focusing awareness on the cause of most collisions – driver
error. During Road Safety Day, Ottawa
Police, OPP, RCMP, Gatineau Police and Sûreté du Québec pooled resources to
increase visibility and to conduct joint RIDE spot checks across the Nation’s
Capital. With the introduction of the expanded Ottawa Police
Traffic Enforcement Unit, targeted enforcement activities have increased
significantly. At the Divisional
level, District Traffic, Patrol and District/Neighbourhood Officers also have
responsibility for general traffic enforcement, as well as specific
neighbourhood issues. The combined
efforts of the centralized Traffic Enforcement Unit, together with District
resources, have begun to be reflected in the scope of enforcement activities
and initiatives undertaken in the early part of 2004. Traffic enforcement data for the first quarter data
of 2004 are presented below. Enforcement Activities Although enforcement is not seen as the only solution
to reducing automobile accidents, it is recognized as a key component in
achieving a reduction in collisions.
While the participation of other partners in education and engineering
aspects is vital, police services are exclusively accountable for enforcement
activities. The increased focus and investment in Traffic
enforcement resources has been clearly seen, as the volume of Provincial
Offences Notices (PONs) issued during the first quarter of this year totalled
42,441. This is more than double the
17,898 tickets issued for the same period in 2003 (137% increase). The majority of the Notice totals above are Highway Traffic Act violations, but they also reflect other statutes and notices for moving and equipment violations, including:
On a month over month basis, enforcement activities
have also increased as the expanded Enforcement Unit completed its mandatory
orientation and training and began to hit the streets to supplement the
efforts of Patrol and District officers.
Traffic, Patrol, and District Officers usually
handle responses to neighbourhood traffic complaints and will often
coordinate broader efforts with the Enforcement Unit. Under the Ottawa Police Selected
Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), Traffic, Patrol and District
officers also focus on identified Traffic Act violations, in addition to
their regular enforcement activities.
Targeted violations for the first quarter have included Improper Lane
Changes, Following too Close, Red Light Running, Speeding, and Stop
Signs. As with the number of PONs issued, tickets issued
under the monthly traffic theme campaign increased over the same period last
year (62.4%).
*Note: Given different campaigns, only the
total is shown for Q1 2003. Other themes for the remainder of 2004 include:
Vehicle Restraints (seatbelts and infant car seats); Speeding; Stopping on or
Too Close to Rail Crossings; Red Light Running; Cycling on Sidewalks; Unsafe
Vehicles; Impaired Driving; Failing to Stop for School Buses; and, Improper
Use of Reserved Transit Lanes. In addition, Ottawa Police continue to carry out
RIDE and other safety initiatives such as vehicle checks, truck inspections,
patrols of snowmobile trails during winter months, roadside screening,
traffic escorts, and other activities. Monitoring Road Safety Data on motor vehicle collisions in the City of
Ottawa are maintained and closely monitored.
The joint Integrated Road Safety Plan envisions safer roadways and
identifies a 30 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries by
2010. This challenge was set in light
of data for the City indicating an upward trend in the overall collision
statistics since 2000. The number of motor vehicle collisions rose from
12,690 in 2000 to 14,851 in 2003 (17%).
While part of the rise may be attributed to the increasing number of
licensed vehicles and registered drivers on Ottawa’s roadways, the resultant
increase continues to have social and economic costs.
Source - City of Ottawa,
Safety & Traffic Services Division, TUPW. Note: Figures for
reportable collisions - Ottawa Police, OPP and RCMP for City of Ottawa For more detail, consult
annual City of Ottawa Collision Statistics Report and/or Report on Ottawa
Road Safety. Of concern is that traffic fatalities have steadily
increased over the past four years, with the City experiencing a 72 percent
increase in traffic deaths between 2000 and 2003. Initial data on 2004, however, show a positive sign with a
reduction in the fatalities experienced during the first quarter, when the
likelihood for poorer driving conditions caused by winter weather is much
higher (3 in 2004 vs. 9 in 2003 and 7 in 2002).
Other On-Going Analysis With the recent appointment of a Traffic Analyst in
the Public Safety Unit, more analysis can be undertaken on problem
intersections, ‘hot spots’, response strategies to complaints, best/good
practices research, and more detailed accident/collision trends (age, vehicle
type, etc.). Correspondence
and comments received by the Ottawa Police indicate a mixed reaction to
increased enforcement, as could be expected.
While some residents expressed anger at receiving a ticket, others
indicated that they appreciate the traffic enforcement initiative and noticed
a reduction in speeding cars in their neighbourhood. Community surveys will continue to
be conducted to measure residents’ perception of traffic related concerns. |
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CONCLUSION As stated earlier, this is the first in a series of quarterly ‘snapshots’ of enforcement activities undertaken by the Ottawa Police. Our goal remains making City of Ottawa roadways among the safest in Canada for the motoring public, children, pedestrians and cyclists. Together with the Engineering and Education components of the City’s Integrated Road Safety Plan, I am confident that residents will continue to see the benefits of our joint efforts toward a safer community and streets. |
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Vince Bevan Chief of Police |
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