Lately it seems there is a major traffic collision every day in Brampton resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. Our cities and suburbs have been planned since the 1950’s to accommodate cars and trucks as the primary modes of transportation. A consequence of this planning priority is the acceptance of injury and death as a trade-off.
In 2015, a Brampton resident was killed every 26 days on our roads. 53 people have died between 2011-15. At what point do we draw a line between convenience in moving around a city and public safety?
In Sweden, an effort is growing that draws the line at zero, with the principle that all collisions are preventable. The effort, called Vision Zero, has several components including vehicle speed, alternative transportation choices, road design, and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Investment into Vision Zero policies is proving to help prevent unnecessary deaths, reduce costs on public services and improve traffic. Should Brampton adopt Vision Zero?
In this episode of Brampton Focus, we speak with two of Brampton’s most outspoken proponents of biking, Lisa Stokes and Kevin Montgomery, as they discuss the engaging idea of Vision Zero.
You can participate in the discussion on the Brampton Focus Facebook Group. For additional information, Kevin Montgomery suggests the following video resources: