MEDICINE HAT
POLICE SERVICE

MEDIA RELEASE

07-031080
Media Interest
2007-11-09 13:30 -
MEDIA NOTIFICATION 850-900 2 ST SE

Text Release Date and Time: 2007-11-09 13

Medicine Hat Police Service adopts new comprehensive Traffic Safety Plan

Every year fatalities and injury motor vehicle collisions take a toll on people in Medicine Hat. These tragedies have great personal, community and societal implications to our community as a whole.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is committed to reducing these numbers and improving traffic safety within our city. This document highlights strategies to address specific traffic safety issues.

1. Impaired driving
2. Speed related collisions
3. Occupant restraint usage
4. Aging drivers
5. Young drivers
6. High risk and medically unfit drivers

The following is a summary of specific targets the Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Safety Plan intends to target:

" A 95 percent rate of seat belt usage and proper use of appropriate use of child restraints by all motor vehicle occupants.
" A 50 percent decrease in number of fatalities involving unbelted occupants.
" A 40 percent decrease in the number of fatalities involving drinking drivers.
" Maintain a zero percent increase in fatal and major injuries collisions in our school patrol areas.
" Maintain a 35% / 65% ratio of officer initiated / automated summonses
Text Release Date and Time: 2007-11-09 13

" Maintain a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) -
specifical ly educating the public and target offenders with a new emphasis
each month.
" Conduct a minimum of 10 Impaired Driving, MADD Checkstops throughout
each year.
" Conduct a minimum of 6 Child Restraint Clinics in conjunction with t
he Palliser Health Authority and the South Eastern Safety Alliance.
" Conduct a minimum of two lectures for seniors in cooperation with th e
Veiner Centre.
" Conduct a minimum of two lectures for new Canadians in cooperation w
ith the Saamis Immigration Society.
" Maintain participation in the Party Program in cooperation with the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.

A review of the Motor Vehicle Statistics for the City of Medicine Hat during the period of 2005 - 2006 revealed the following:

" There were a total of 7 deaths on the roadways within Medicine Hat.
" One of these deaths was that of a pedestrian in a crosswalk
" Five of the deceased were determined to have consumed alcohol before driving and were legally impaired.
" 100% of the drivers killed were traveling at excessive speed.
" Two of the drivers were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision. Seat belts are the single most cost effective way of saving lives and preventing injury in the case of a collision.
" One fatality was attributed to medical unfitness.

This new Traffic Safety Plan reflects the seriousness with which the Medicine Hat Police Service takes its role in protecting the motoring public. For further information please contact Sgt. Randy Youngman 581-9884 or 529-8471