![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/speed-limit-sign-300x169.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMany residents and families instinctively know what that reason is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is this – nine out of ten (that’s 90%!<\/strong>) – of unprotected pedestrians (including children walking, biking) when hit by a car traveling at 60km\/h would be killed. And approximately 80% of unprotected pedestrians would be killed at 50 km\/hr! It\u2019s clear \u201ctraffic calming\u201d measures in our streets is a question of life or death.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: \u201cSpeed management: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners.\u201d Geneva, Global Road Safety Partnership, 2008\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that in order to reduce the cruising speed on residential roads, the problem must be addressed in 3 simultaneous ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By working on these three elements the City of Gatineau, the police department and our residents, – all together we can create a calming \u201csafe zone\u201d where drivers proceed slowly<\/strong> throughout the community. The La Croisee Community Association and our Street Representatives will be helping with this initiative in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fundamental to the success of any solution is that residents must adhere to a new driving philosophy, themselves . They must be made aware of the all-too-real dangers of speeding. They must lead by example and always<\/strong><\/span> set the pace. This culture shift is not an easy one, especially for repeat offenders but it is vital to the success of any other measures combined.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each citizen must play their part by:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Law enforcement is there to back up the grass roots initiatives of educating the community. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The City of Gatineau recognises its responsibility in regards to the safety of the streets on its territory. The City is also responsible for a variety of traffic calming initiatives in our neighborhoods.[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Engineering measures involve physically altering the road layout or appearance to actively or passively retard traffic by increasing the cognitive load of driving.” (Traffic Calming, Wikipedia)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Lane narrowings can be created by extending sidewalks, adding bollards or planters, or adding a bike lane or on-street parking.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Vehicle activated sign, – signs react with a message if they detect a vehicle exceeding a pre-determined speed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Visual traffic calming includes the use of trees next to streets.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Speed bumps, sometimes split or offset in the middle to avoid delaying emergency vehicles.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Changing the surface material or texture..may also including changing in color to highlight to drivers that they are in a pedestrian centric zone.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Chicanes, which create a horizontal deflection that causes vehicles to slow as they would for a curve.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Lane narrowings can be created by extending sidewalks, adding bollards or planters, or adding a bike lane or on-street parking.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Pedestrian refuges can provide horizontal deflection, as can curb extensions and chokers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Overall, it should be noted that not all traffic calming solutions have the desired effect. (10)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Municipalities may also lower the threshold or reasonable limit to force action.5<\/sup> For example, if 85% of motorists are driving 60km\/h or less on a street, the City will not act on traffic calming measures (a reduction from 65km\/h, nevertheless). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2012, Ontario\u2019s Chief Coroner reviewing pedestrian death<\/a> suggested the speed limit in residential areas should be 30 km\/h (14)<\/span>. However, this measure, as are all other measures, is dependent on how the community responds to educating themselves and each other on the importance of creating a \u201ctraffic calming\u201d community.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n By working together<\/strong> with the residents in our community, the Gatineau Police department and the City of Gatineau we can create a beautiful environment where it will become natural and intuitive for all drivers to slow down when they are behind the wheel in La Croisee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Probability.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Fatality.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSo – what to do?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Adjusting driver behaviour and beliefs, the culture shift through education:<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/SpeedSign-EN-03-29-300x200.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPolice Reinforcement:<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/police-300x193.jpg\")
Infrastructure change: <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/croisee.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/TrafficCalmed.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n