Forty per cent of vehicle collisions in Saskatchewan happen at intersections, which comes out to 11,000 crashes in 2013. Out of those crashes, there were 47 deaths and injuries to more than 3,500 people. In an effort to decrease these stats, SGI is raising awareness about intersection safety for the month of January.
“We want to reduce that number drastically,” said Marie Schultz, communications consultant with SGI. “We’re doing the focus in the winter because the posted limit is for ideal conditions and in the winter, they’re not ideal. I think people are still driving as if its summer.”
The most common causes of intersection crashes are a result of the driver turning left into oncoming traffic and drivers going the same direction, not paying attention, and rear-ending the car in front of them. The solution to these problems is simple.
“Pay extra attention as you’re approaching an intersection,” Schultz said.
To this end, SGI is using a four-step model called IPDE to help keep drivers safe:
Identify real and potential hazards when approaching the intersection. This means scanning the intersection in advance and checking for traffic and pedestrians.
Predict what will happen if you encounter a real or potential hazard. For example, can you stop in time to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of you?
Decide what to do to drive safely.
Execute the decision.
“Intersection collisions have increased year-over-year. Too many people are being hurt and killed on Saskatchewan roads and it needs to stop,” said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI in a news release. “For the New Year, resolve to drive better. Drive safer. For you, your family, and everyone else on the road.”
Schultz added that accidents can happen if people try too hard to get to their destination more quickly.
“You could actually kill somebody because you wanted to get to work fast,” she said.
Prior to 2013, SGI had two-day awareness campaigns for different driving issues, but since then it has become a month-long campaign.
“Because the numbers are still so high, we think it’s important to have that awareness,” she said.
Other awareness campaigns in the coming months include distracted driving and car seat education.
