Safer Roads Ottawa Program

The Ottawa Police Service is proud to be part of the Safer Roads Ottawa Program that was launched in January 2004.

The Ottawa Police Traffic Enforcement Unit gained 18 new police officers to make our city's roads safer for everyone. The addition of these officers is a significant component of the City's Safer Roads Ottawa Program.

In June 2003, Council approved the program that aims to:

• Reduce collisions on Ottawa's roads
• Raise public awareness of road safety issues.
• Integrate the work of City departments responsible for road safety.
• Improve communication, cooperation and collaboration among road safety agencies.

The program is based on a "3E" approach: Engineering, Education and Enforcement.

• Engineering to improve road safety through the use of improved techniques in designing traffic signs, signals and roads.
• Education to help equip all road users with the necessary skills to travel safely on our roadways.
• Enforcement to increase road users awareness of the law and to realize the results of failing to obey it.

STEP:

Ottawa’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is implemented under the banner of Safer Roads Ottawa.  Each month, two traffic safety priorities (themes) are highlighted for additional enforcement.  An analysis of the City’s traffic collision / injury data helps to determine the level of emphasis that each traffic safety priority receives.  The severity of the issue will dictate if some themes receive additional months of enforcement.

 

In terms of timing of specific themes, consideration is given to the following:

• Annual national / provincial campaigns
• Seasonal road safety topics  (e.g.. impaired driving in December and school bus / school zone traffic safety in September and March)
• Dates of Safer Roads Ottawa campaigns and initiatives

A media release announcing the upcoming month’s traffic safety priorities will be distributed prior to the beginning of each month.  This release will contain relevant traffic collision/injury data justify the focus on the following month’s traffic safety priorities.  The results of the previous month’s initiatives will be released to the community and will include a summary of the charges laid relating to the traffic safety priorities. 

2013

Month	Theme #1	Theme #2
January	Following Too Close	Stop Sign Violation
February	Vehicle Occupant Restraints (includes child car seats)	Red Light Running
March	School Bus/ School Zone Safety	Unsafe Lane Changes
April	Distracted Driving	Cycling Safety
May	Motorcycle Safety	Red Light Running
June	Impaired Driving	Construction Zones
July	Cycling Safety	Unsafe Vehicle and Heavy Truck
August	Pedestrian Safety	Speeding
September	School Bus/School Zone Safety	Vehicle Occupant Restraints (includes child car seats)
October	Distracted Driving	Stop Sign Violations
November	Red Light Running	Unsafe Lane Changes
December	Impaired Driving	Speeding

 

The News Releases to announce the following month’s two traffic safety priorities will be forwarded to the media on the last Thursday of each month.  Relevant traffic collision/injury data is included in these News Releases to justify the focus on the following month’s traffic safety priorities.  The News Releases to announce the success of the previous month’s STEP initiatives will be forwarded to the media on the second Monday of each month.  A summary of the charges/offences relating to the previous month’s traffic safety priorities is included in these News Releases. 

For more information about our Safer Roads Ottawa Program, coordinating efforts from all departments responsible for various aspects of road safety, visit the City of Ottawa.

Remember: Road Safety Starts with You!