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Tough enforcement can change bad driving habits
Was Jean Charest right? Does Quebec have a "culture" of dangerous driving?
Almost anyone who has driven here - or been a pedestrian - would be tempted to agree with the premier's reaction to this summer's grim toll of traffic accidents. But it's worth remembering, too, that millions of us have safe trips every day. We are not a society full of reckless scofflaws.
Still, everyone has close calls to recount. It feels horrible to be powerless as someone passes you on the right, tailgates, weaves around the road, runs a red light, or speeds dangerously.
But while prudent drivers feel powerless in such cases, the government is not powerless. In fact, it has already taken action against dangerous driving. Fines for speeding have been increased, and there are extra demerit points for violations like tailgating and unsignalled lane changes, and more.
Every new accident report grabs our attention, but the statistics are in a way encouraging: Last year, 608 people died in Quebec road accidents, 113 fewer than in 2006.
The best immediate way to reduce the carnage further, we think, involves enforcement. Last year, the Sûreté du Québec stopped 7,864 drivers with diminished faculties, or not even 21 a day. That doesn't seem like very many.
From time to time police officers in one jurisdiction or another decline to issue tickets, as a labour-relations tactic. Frustrated and alarmed by this, the government commissioned a study to take to the Essential Services Council. That research found that when Quebec City police issued half the usual number of tickets, the result was an additional 315 collisions - 419 injuries - over three years.
There are two lessons here. First, that labour tactic is irresponsible and if police will not abandon it, they should be forced to. Second, increasing the threat of ticketing will decrease the risk of accidents.
There are other things to try, too. Jean-Marie de Koninck of Quebec's Table de concertation sur la sécurité routière says smarter use of police surveillance at spots known to be dangerous can help drive down the number of deaths and injuries.
Then there's photo radar, which even good drivers hate but which has been shown to be effective in many other jurisdictions. Coupled with realistic speed limits, this is a tool that deserves serious consideration.
Charest is certainly right that it is hard to change people's habits. Fortunately it's not everyone whose habits need changing. Better enforcement is the first step to take.