Prioritizing the Vision Zero Goals and what the heck are those?

Visionzero.ca is a collection of data-backed policy suggestions that aim to reduce all traffic related fatalities and serious injuries in urban areas. The suggestions are thoroughly researched to maximize and prioritize safety on roads by adopting the principle that “in every situation a person might fail, the road system should not”. 

One might optimistically think that all road development to date has been planned with the utmost care, and for safety to have been top of mind. Unfortunately that was not the top consideration– but rather through-put efficiency. The safety of people, particularly those outside of cars, was rarely considered.  

The City Council actually adopted Vision Zero as guiding principles back in 2021. I applaud the efforts our transportation engineers and planners have made to create safer streets in Lethbridge for all road users with the resources they have been allotted. These efforts include speed feedback signs (those signs are also collecting traffic data along major road ways), temporary bulb-outs at cross-walks, daylighting crosswalks, and the 40km/hr speed pilot project taking place in the city.

By preventing collisions we save lives, save the quality of life in our city, save stress on our first responders, and even save taxpayers money to boot. 

It will mean slowing car traffic down in the city. 

It will mean strategically narrowing roads to encourage more careful driving. 

It will mean prioritizing safety of all people over the efficiency of car travel. 

It will also mean fewer deaths, fewer injuries, fewer calls to EMS, fewer traumatic dispatches, fewer dollars spent on maintaining infrastructure that's literally killing us. 

Whew, that got preachy. 

What does it mean for those of us living in Lethbridge and what should we expect? 

1. Consultation. I think it is fair to assume most folks are comfortable starting from a place of prioritizing safety, so consultation will likely mainly revolve around what types of infrastructure changes are folks interested in?  Do residents of one area want street trees? Do they want round abouts or 4 way stops? Do they want 40km/hr or does 30km/hr make more sense? Do we need raised cross walks in this area or will Bulb outs suffice? Citizens should expect opportunities to consult directly on any changes being made to their area. 
2. A focus on renewing and improving pedestrian-focused infrastructure. I would love to see improvements to pedestrian infrastructure tied directly to road work as much as possible so areas are not inconvenienced by shut-downs twice. Better planning and resourcing will be required to minimize area disruptions when infrastructure is upgraded. 
3. More people enjoying the street. As traffic slows and safety improves more people will feel emboldened to use the public space in a myriad of ways, and the City should become a partner to grass-roots projects such as daylighting intersections, and re-striping roads. 

By reducing traffic speed and distracted driving through infrastructure changes we can subtly influence folks to drive slower and with more care. This will result in fewer wrecks, and fewer impacted lives in our community, and create a safer space for all citizens of all ages and abilities. The City Council has the ability to lay the foundation for positive change and empower our public space engineers to get the work done as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

This Oct 8 - 20 please consider casting your ballot for responsible, positive change in Lethbridge. We can do this together. 

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