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This is not about drivers versus cyclists and pedestrians. We are all human. We all make mistakes. Those mistakes should not result in injury or death.

We need to stop normalizing deaths on our streets. We must design our streets to allow for human error. Yes, some cyclists and pedestrians don’t follow the rules of the road and yes, some drivers are careless, but the vast majority are responsible. (And, for the record, a recent study has shown that both drivers and cyclists break rules at the same rate.)

Attaching blame allows us to continue to do nothing to end deaths and serious injuries on our streets. This attitude explains why Canada’s per capita traffic fatality rate is almost double that of countries that consider these deaths preventable.

Examples from countries leading in safer street designs can no longer be ignored. At a minimum, whenever someone dies or is seriously injured on our streets, we should investigate and make immediate changes to prevent further deaths or serious injuries.

This is where I come in.

As an elected representative, I have a responsibility, along with my council colleagues, for the safety and well-being of all residents. As a city, we have an obligation to design our streets so that, regardless of whether you are using a wheelchair, in a car, on a bike, on a bus or walking, you are provided with safe passage.

The city can immediately adopt a strong ”Vision Zero” policy. Vision Zero is a worldwide movement that considers all traffic fatalities and serious injuries to be preventable. The only acceptable number of traffic deaths and serious injuries is zero. Ottawa can set bold targets, allocate sufficient funds, and report publicly on our progress. Toronto and Edmonton are among the cities that have already committed to Vision Zero.