President's Perspective

This issue of Safety Canada describes two new Canada Safety Council public opinion polls, and refers to surveys done by other organizations.

A telephone survey can only measure what respondents are willing to say and what they personally believe, whether factual or not. When asked whether their province mandates bicycle helmets for children under 18, for instance, 78% of Quebeckers answered yes. In fact, Quebec has no helmet law, but the positive answers suggest potential receptiveness to such legislation.

Due to their subjective nature, public opinion surveys must be designed with care and conclusions drawn cautiously. A CSC survey found that 65% of respondents felt Canada's impaired driving laws are not strict enough. However, the survey also revealed a lack of knowledge of the law and widespread misconceptions of how it is applied. (Safety Canada, January 2001) In context, the findings implied a need for more public awareness and education - not tougher laws.

The scope or nature of questions can create misleading impressions. For instance, a survey that asked questions only about truck drivers found a high degree of concern about drowsiness. Another survey did not specify the type of road user, and identified general public concern about drowsiness of all drivers.

Polling, combined with factual information and solid research, can serve an important role in safety. A poll can establish a benchmark of attitudes and reported behaviors, which helps focus and direct efforts; for instance, our recent survey suggested key "reasons" for not wearing a helmet, which safety campaigns could address. Another function is to quantify a hidden problem, such as drowsy drivers. Polling is often used to gauge the political climate, and can be applied to safety legislation. Despite vocal opposition to photo enforcement, a CSC survey found very strong overall agreement and a small percentage who strongly disagreed; politicians did not need to fear losing office if they approved red light cameras. (Safety Canada, April 2001)

Last but not least, survey findings are newsworthy. By attracting media attention, they offer opportunities to increase public awareness about safety.

Return to top of page