Activities and Highlights - 2003

New editions of CSC’s flagship training programs were released this year: Defensive Driving Course (DDC), Professional Driver Improvement Course (PDIC) and 55 Alive Mature Driver Program. The revised courses respond to Canadians' growing desire for fuel efficiency by incorporating the principles of environmentally friendly driving. The new "Green" DDC is the first CSC course to go online, expanding its reach to help more drivers learn how to avoid collisions and minimize fuel consumption.

Four per cent of all Canadian drivers are involved in a collision of some kind every year. This collision rate for the general population provides a baseline measure for fleet safety performance. A major government fleet which provides DDC to its drivers had a collision rate of only 1.1 per cent in 2002-03. In other words, the average Canadian driver is four times more likely to have a collision than a DDC-trained driver in that fleet.

Gearing Up, Canada's national motorcycle training program, continued to be one of the Council's most highly acclaimed courses. With the launch of a new edition this year, enrollment rose by over 15 per cent from 2002. About 70 per cent of new riders in Canada take the course, and it has helped to reduce motorcycle fatalities significantly over the 30 years since its inception.

With the increasing popularity of all-terrain vehicles, the ATV RiderCourse continued to expand. The hands-on course was provided mainly to industries such as utilities and resource companies. For recreational riders, CSC offered an interactive CD-ROM, ATV Smart Rider, which addresses how to make manoeuvres, carry cargo, descend or ascend a hill, and ride in winter conditions, as well as basic maintenance and precautions when travelling in a group.

CSC has been a leader in babysitter training since 1970. The Babysitter Training Course teaches knowledge and skills needed to become a responsible babysitter, skills that will serve the students well into adulthood. The course maintained its popularity.

Occupational Health and Safety

Fitness and Wellness

Regular physical activity improves health, fitness, energy and self-esteem, and has life-long benefits. The risks of physical inactivity include premature death and disability, and several chronic diseases.

With funding from the Population Health Fund, CSC continued to work with Health Canada through the Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work to bring active living programs into workplaces. Stairway to Health was introduced as an online resource to encourage stair use as a convenient and cost-effective way to build healthy physical activity into the workplace.

On October 25, the Honourable Paul DeVillers, Secretary of State for Physical Activity and Sport, launched Stairway to Health as part of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Week by climbing the 1,776 steps of the world’s largest staircase (the CN Tower in Toronto).

Work Life Balance

Many Canadians are working longer and have more family responsibilities than they did 10 years ago. People who go through life stressed-out and sleep deprived pose a risk to themselves and others. A CSC document discussed the impact on safety of balancing personal priorities.

Farm Safety

Sun protection was the theme for National Farm Safety Week (March 14 to 21) . Farmers work outdoors, and must take extra precautions due to the hazards of frequent, prolonged exposure to the sun. Studies have shown that outdoor workers are four times more likely than other workers to develop squamous cell carcinoma, the second leading most common form of skin cancer.

Driver Improvement

Motor vehicle collisions accounted for 31 per cent of all work-related traumatic injury fatalities in 2001. DDC, PDIC and the ATV RiderCourse (see Training) are mainly provided as occupational safety programs for employees who drive on the job.

Traffic Safety

Impaired Driving

The rate of impaired driving incidents dropped four per cent in 2002. According to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, the rate of impaired driving incidents reported by police was 65 per cent lower than its peak in 1981. Deaths and injuries related to impaired driving have gone down by almost half since 1986 despite increasing numbers of drivers and vehicles. Younger drivers (aged 19 to 24) and chronic drinking drivers are responsible for most impaired driving incidents, and remain CSC's major policy priority.

CSC contributed to a study which looks at the fact that half of all convicted drink driving offenders fail to participate in any remedial measures. This research, conducted by the Douglas Hospital Research Centre of McGill University in Montreal, will investigate the effectiveness of substance abuse intervention programs.

The federal government began to consider decriminalizing possession of small quantities of cannabis. Although the substance would still be illegal, this proposal raised concerns about drivers impaired by cannabis. CSC urged provincial and territorial governments to consider administrative licence suspensions for drivers who have been using the substance.

The courts have ruled on commercial host liability. Despite law suits, the legal responsibility of social hosts who serve alcohol at home or hold a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) event is less clear. In a media release "Safety Tips for Party Hosts" CSC stressed the need for hosts to monitor and supervise the service and consumption of alcohol, and to prevent any guest who may be impaired from taking the wheel.

Aggressive Driving

The fifth annual Nerves of Steel survey, commissioned by TheSteelAlliance and Canada Safety Council, found 84 per cent of Canadians had engaged in aggressive driving in the past year. This was four per cent lower than 2002 but still a major concern, since 72 per cent felt the incidence of aggressive driving is increasing. The most common behaviours are speeding over 20 km/h above the speed limit (55 per cent of respondents had done this in the past year) and driving through yellow lights that are turning red (61 per cent had done this). A full 90 per cent of respondents believed traffic congestion can lead to aggressive driving.

National Road Safety Week (May 16 to 22) featured the survey findings and tips to prevent aggressive driving. In addition, TheSteelAlliance sponsored an instructional CD, The Road to Aggression. It offers a leader's guide and PowerPoint presentation for a half-hour safety discussion, and was provided free of charge.

National Police Award for Traffic Safety

This award recognizes excellence, dedication and initiative in the field of traffic safety by enforcement officers in Canada. It is co-sponsored by CSC, Transport Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The winner, Sergeant Rodney Brown, received the award on behalf of the North Western Ontario Highway Safety Education Committee from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The winning multidisciplinary education campaign was conceived and developed by Staff Sergeant Bob Beatty of the Ontario Provincial Police – North West Regional Headquarters. Over a three-year period, the Committee promoted proper driving habits on highways in the districts of Thunder Bay and Kenora Rainy River. Extensive education, training and enforcement targeted drivers of both personal and commercial motor vehicles.

The two Honourable Mention Awards went to officers from the Montreal Police Department. Sergeant Eric La Penna, Officer Simon Arsenault, and Officer Eric Soumphophakdy analyzed traffic incidents in a specific area, targeted key safety issues and saw significant improvements result from their work. Officer Rénald Tellier conducted a pilot project to improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks within the city. The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Road Safety was Senior Constable Kevin Armstrong of the Chatham Traffic Management Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Long Combination Vehicles

Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs) are truck tractors with two or three trailers. Carriers and road authorities place strict controls on them, and the drivers must meet high standards of skill and experience. A CSC literature review found little overall difference in crash rates between LCVs and other trucks when operated under similar conditions of weather, road and driver experience.

Railway Safety

CSC works with Operation Lifesaver (OL), a program of the Railway Association of Canada and Transport Canada, to reduce collisions at rail/highway grade crossings and inform the public about the dangers associated with trespassing on railway property.

Tracks are for Trains, a CSC activity booklet featuring Elmer the Safety Elephant, was produced for use in the OL school program with funding from OL and the Imperial Oil Foundation.

Older Drivers

Based on kilometres driven, drivers over age 65 have more collisions than any other age group. The main factors are slow response, not seeing a sign, car, or pedestrian, and interaction with other drivers. Medications can make a driver more susceptible to any of these factors, and Canadians over age 65 take an average of nine medications daily, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal. This year's National Seniors' Safety Week (November 6 to 12) focused on the issue of drugs and the older driver, providing safety tips and information on medication side-effects.

Driver Distractions

Driver distraction in its various forms contributes to an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions, and about nine per cent of serious or fatal crashes. "Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel" was the theme for National Safe Driving Week (December 1 to 7). Driven to Distraction, a program on CD which includes a 10 minute video, sponsored by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, was distributed for the campaign.

Collisions with Wildlife

With rising deer and big-game populations and an increasing number of vehicles on the road, serious collisions with wildlife are becoming more and more common. CSC drew public attention to this problem, described measures to prevent such collisions and provided tips for motorists.

Child Passenger Safety

The Canada Safety Council continued its partnership with The Co-operators to promote the correct use of child car seats. The Buckle Up Bears program reached out to parents and checked over 387 car seats at 32 clinics. The need for this program is shown by the fact that only 13 per cent of the car seats checked were correctly installed and used. Media coverage generated by the clinics enhanced public awareness. A Buckle Up Bears growth chart describing how to restrain children properly was widely distributed as part of the program.

Electronic Enforcement

If people believe they will be caught, they are far less likely to offend. However, police cannot be everywhere, and are reluctant to pursue speeding drivers on high-volume roads. CSC promotes the use of electronic enforcement to improve traffic safety.

Photo-radar uses cameras to identify vehicles that are breaking the speed limit. Red light camera programs, another form of electronic enforcement reduce injury crashes at intersections by about 25 to 30 per cent. The owners of offending vehicles receive fines, but no points are assigned to anyone's driving record.

A public opinion poll on electronic enforcement commissioned by CSC in August reflected a similar survey done in January 2001. About 35 per cent of Canadians feel there is not enough traffic enforcement by police, and 55 per cent feel the level is about right. A full 84 per cent support photo radar in school zones, 78 per cent support red light cameras, and 66 per cent support photo radar on the highway. When asked if there should be warning signs to advise of the possible presence of photo enforcement 68 per cent said yes.

Sports and Active Living

Spectator Safety for Indoor Arenas

CSC has a longstanding concern that flying pucks can injure spectators in hockey arenas. Deaths are rare, but injuries — some quite serious — are not uncommon. The absence of a standard makes it hard to determine what is needed for optimal safety.

Endorsed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Canadian Recreational Facilities Council, CSC is funding a national standard on spectator protection for indoor arenas. The Canadian Standards Association began development of a voluntary standard targeted to owners, operators and designers of indoor arenas, the first of its kind in the world.

Soccer

CSC contributed to a study by the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta on succer head injuries among minor league players.

Wrestling

Backyard and basement wrestling federations find that adolescents and young adults try to replicate the moves they see their pro-wrestling heroes perform. Living Safety published a story on this alarming trend, which it shared with the Canadian media.

Child Safety

Pedestrian Safety

The message of National School Safety Week (October 17 to 23) was "See and Be Seen." After the clocks are turned back, children are more likely to arrive home from school in the dark. Alliance Tire Professionals of Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. sponsored this campaign as part of its Kids on Patrol program.

Schools distributed an educational pamphlet to help parents teach their children in the primary grades about pedestrian safety, and CSC's Web site offered online curriculum-based resources for teachers. Retro-reflective armbands reinforced the message about being visible when walking.

Elmer the Safety Elephant

CSC continued its partnership with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to develop child safety programs featuring CSC's trademarked character Elmer the Safety Elephant. Liberty Mutual and its agents took an active role in program delivery at the community level, distributing Elmer activity booklets. Membership in the Elmer Club grew by 25 per cent. The school flag program continued to expand. Based on materials sent, over 1,400 schools were active in the program.

The Canada Safety Council estimates that dogs bite 460,000 Canadians annually. Children under 10 years of age are the most at risk. Injuries can be severe, sometimes requiring extensive surgery. CSC responded to the fatal mauling of a Manitoba toddler in October to raise awareness of the issue, stressing that dangerous dogs are often the result of irresponsible ownership.

Responding to a rise in gang attacks targeting teens, CSC's National Community Safety and Crime Prevention Campaign (November) encouraged witnesses of such attacks to report them immediately, if possible by mobile phone at the site of the crime. Increased bystander intervention in this way will help police address the problem.

Fire Safety

Propane

Camping, cottaging and meals on the barbecue are Canada's summertime passions. In addition, more and more Canadians travel by RV during the summer. Propane is the energy source that often powers these activities. In partnership with the Propane Gas Association of Canada, National Summer Safety Week (May 1 to 7) promoted the safe use of propane. This is a very important issue for fire services, who distributed the campaign pamphlets.

Fireworks

Canada's strict regulations and enforcement have resulted in far fewer fireworks incidents than the US. After a fire ignited by pyrotechnics killed 97 people at a Rhode Island night club on February 20, 2003, CSC provided a Canadian perspective on fireworks safety.

Publications and Media

Living Safety, CSC's quarterly family safety magazine, addressed a variety of consumer-oriented topics covering child, home and personal safety. CSC published Safety Canada as its quarterly member newsletter and on its Web site.

CSC’s main Web site continued to serve as a well-respected source for information on safety with close to 1.4 million pages downloaded. The Elmer the Safety Elephant site provides activities for children. The rider training site is dedicated to the Gearing Up motorcycle training program, and gives course locations.

CSC maintains ongoing communication with the media through campaigns and news releases, and responds to inquiries from reporters. In print media alone, CSC reached over 102 million readers. The combined reach for electronic and print media was 198 million, with coverage in all provinces and the Yukon. This represents a significant reach into the Canadian population with important safety messages.

From Canada Safety Council Annual Report - 2003

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