Pace Car Initiative School Zone Child Safety

PACE CAR - What is it all about

• At its core The PACE CAR program is an anti speeding campaign.

• The overall goal is general traffic safety.• Part of the PACE CAR Pledge is courtesy to

other drivers and most importantly PEDESTRIANS.

• Most frequent traffic complaint- driversnot complying with crossing guards and

speeding.

Why Do We Need This?

• Injuries are the number one cause of death and disability among children and youth in Canada.

• While the number of Canadian children injured or killed in pedestrian-related incidents continues to decline, each fatality remains a tragedy - most often a preventable one. Injuries to child pedestrians are often severe, and even though a youngster may survive, recovery can include long-term disabilities, emotional strain and financial burdens that may be experienced by children and their families for many years, and can last a lifetime.

Why Are Elementary School Children at Risk

• In order to cross a street independently AND safely, children need three important skills that are typically NOT acquired until between 9 and 11 years of age:

• The ability to determine and use a safe crossing route

• The capability to realistically assess a vehicle's speed

• The cognitive means to judge safe gaps in traffic • This means supervising children who have not yet

reached this stage.

Why Do We Need This?

• Anyone who has been out front of a school at the beginning and end of the schools day has witnessed the traffic confusion as parents converge on the schools for their children.

• Part of the issue are parents – not intending to be part of the problem…but intent on getting to their destination-home or work. Combined they cause a potential danger to pedestrians.

• A forum to discuss traffic issues with your school community.

• Steps for Organizing a Pace Car Program In Your Community

• Step 1: Identify Interest in the Pace Car Program – in progress.

• Step 2: Develop a Program Team –Schools/Parent councils/OPS partnership.

• Step 3: Gather and Distribute Information - Parent council distribute information to parents soliciting interest.

• Step 4:Distribute PACE CAR materials.• Step 5:Implement program & continue to sign up

new PACE CAR parents at school events and similar.

What is Expected of PACE CAR Volunteers?

• The PACE CAR volunteers pledge to:• Obey posted speed limits.• Stop to let pedestrians cross and be courteous

to other road users.• Avoid distractions by paying close attention to

the road.• Display the PACE CAR adhesive in their vehicle

and encourage others to take part.

What is the overall Goal• The overall goal is to involve as many schools

as possible between now the end of this school year.

• At the beginning of the September 2010 school year we will launch the PACE CAR program in as many schools as possible.

Why a Media Launch After March Break ?

• Three reasons:1. Interested schools and parent volunteers

identified before September 2010.2. Opportunity to promote the program and

invite more schools to become involved.3. After major school breaks it is anticipated

that there is more confusion around school zones as parents get back into routines.

PACE CAR Materials

• The PACE CAR program is operated though “Safe Kids Canada.”

• All materials can be ordered through their website.

• Up to 200 items can be ordered free – shipping to be charged on larger orders.

• The PACE CAR pledge form can be obtained from the same site

Points of Note

1. Speed Survey – the materials you will read makes reference to a speed survey before and after implementation as a tool to measure success.

• I do not believe this is a good measure of the success of the program – The program is successful when it effectively promotes traffic safety around schools.

Points of Note(Con’t)

2. Some PACE CAR programs demand a driver abstract for involved volunteers.

• The abstract was an extra hurdle to jump though to become involved. Ultimately it was seen to discourage people from becoming involved.

Conclusion• Traffic complaints and traffic safety are one of the top

concerns of our community.• My Goal is to involve as many schools as are willing to

participate.• The more schools that participate the more this

program will affect traffic safety in the general community.

• The reality is that OPS does not have the resources to have a presence at every school where we are needed.

• By implementing the PACE CAR program you will be taking action to solve the traffic issues around your school.

PACE CAR Websites• Pace Car Information• • http://saferoutesns.ca/images/uploads/Pace_Car_Community_Kit_Spring_09_New.pdf• • • PACE Car Pledge Form• • http://saferoutesns.ca/images/uploads/Pace%20Car%20Pledge%20Insert%20For%20Print

%20091908.pdf• • • PACE Car FAQs• • http://saferoutesns.ca/images/uploads/PC-%20FAQs.pdf• • • PACE Supplies(window adhesives)• • http://guest.cvent.com/SURVEYS/Welcome.aspx?s=aea8a322-0a5a-4f23-ba28-a5363cdc9452