A1

By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

12 Comment(s)

Traffic deaths in New Brunswick are down.

If the trend continues, the province could be heading for one of its lowest years on record.

The fewest fatalities occurred in 2004, and figures are just below that right now, said Staff Sgt. Stephane Caron, traffic services co-ordinator at RCMP J Division.

There were 47 fatalities in areas policed by the RCMP in New Brunswick by the end of September, compared to 48 over the same period in 2004.

Regardless of whether a low mark is reached this year, statistics reveal an improvement over 2008.

Last year, 78 people were killed in crashes in RCMP jurisdictions.

"Knock on wood, it (this year) is better," Caron said. "If things continue this way, we will have our lowest level of fatalities on our highways ever."

The battle to reduce deadly accidents is an ongoing one, he said, with speed, lack of seat-belt compliance and alcohol major factors in most crashes.

The force, while trying to increase its visibility and promote dialogue, introduced a pair of RCMP vehicles outfitted in retro colours, similar to the black used by the RCMP in the 1960s and the blue utilized in the 1980s.

Aircraft traffic enforcement was also utilized to reduce excessive speeds.

Other initiatives included speed-alert signs, which were used in low and medium zones where speed has been identified as a concern.

A rollover simulator was also used throughout the province to demonstrate what can happen when someone isn't wearing a seatbelt.

Bill Adams, regional vice-president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said the figures are encouraging.

"Without seeing the numbers, I think that's wonderful news," Adams said. "It's probably a demonstration of the impact of the many public awareness campaigns that are underway on different aspects of road safety, combined with aggressive enforcement that New Brunswick law enforcement has taken over the past 30 years."

Education, enforcement and engineering - in designing better roads - are key to keeping the number of fatalities down, Adams said.

Fines are $160 plus HST for speeds less than 25 km/h over the speed limit and the loss of three points; $254 plus HST for speeds more than 25 km/h over the speed limit and the loss of five points; and $600 plus HST for speeds more than 50 km/h over the speed limit and the loss of seven points.

Caron is optimistic that progress made so far in 2009 will continue through the remainder of the year.

"Historically, we have had bad Novembers and Decembers as well," Caron said. "We'll keep our fingers crossed until the end of this year and, hopefully, we'll achieve what we want to do and save some lives."