CAA-Quebec launches the Worst Roads 2017 campaign: A unique opportunity for all road users to make things happen! Français
QUEBEC CITY, April 6, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - If you're inconvenienced by roads that are cracked, pothole-filled, crumbling, or otherwise deteriorating to the point that they're less safe to drive on, now's the time to speak out. Join us starting today and together, we'll make things happen!
CAA-Quebec invites all road users - motorists, truck drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians - to go to worstroads-caaquebec.com and report streets and stretches of road that they've noticed are in bad shape. Hurry: the third annual Worst Roads campaign is on for just four weeks, until May 4.
After compiling users' alerts, CAA-Quebec will publish its list of the 10 worst roads in the province. Last year, no fewer than 14,000 reports were received. "The quality of our roads is clearly a major concern for Quebecers," explains Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Quebec's Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs. "Road users pay billions of dollars every year, and it's essential that their voices be heard. With the Worst Roads tool, we give them that opportunity to speak out."
Transport Ministry statistics provide proof that the quality of road infrastructure is an issue of great concern to Quebecers: among all complaints filed with the ministry in 2015-2016, those concerning the poor condition of roads showed the greatest increase, at nearly 20%. There were 2,200 such complaints in total.
A campaign that has an impact
Fully 90% of the roads identified by campaign participants in 2016 were repaired and improved. "Last year alone, in the months following the announcement of our 10 worst roads list, $15 million was spent on or earmarked for work on those roads," Ms. Gagnon adds. "That may or may not be a coincidence, but what's important is for repairs to be completed in timely fashion."
At the close of each campaign, CAA-Quebec forwards the results to the relevant authorities, and then conducts regular follow-up on investments made.
Damage to vehicles… and pocketbooks
Driving repeatedly on decaying roads has real impacts for users. As seen in the following table, replacing the components most often damaged, such as tires and suspension, can be expensive (these figures do not include the cost of labour):
| - Repairs to a wheel or tire: |
$200 to $300 |
| - Repairs to suspension: |
± $1,000 |
In addition, repairing one kilometre of a road from A to Z costs a small fortune, whereas the preventive maintenance, as shown here, is much more economical1:
| - Preventive maintenance (12 years or less): |
$1,400 |
| - Rehabilitation (12 to 15 years old): |
$114,000 |
| - Reconstruction (15 years or more): |
$356,000 |
Every vote counts!
Road users can vote in the Worst Roads campaign as often as they wish; the only restriction is that participants cannot vote for the same road more than once a day. Plus, anyone who reports a stretch of pavement in poor condition is automatically entered to win one of several prizes.
Report to #WorstRoads
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… you can use any digital means available to spread the word about the Worst Roads. Share with your friends and family members, be part of the conversation, upload photos and comments to worstroads-caaquebec.com—every action counts!
On your keyboard… get set… report! We need you!
About CAA-Quebec
CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization, provides all of its members with peace of mind by offering them high-quality automotive, travel, residential and insurance benefits, products and services.
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| 1 Source: Extrapolation in 2016 by CAA-Quebec of 1996 data from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. |
SOURCE CAA-Québec
Montreal: Annie Gauthier, 514 861-7111, ext. 6260, Cell: 514 717-4040, [email protected]; Quebec City: Pierre-Olivier Fortin, 418 624-2424, ext. 6430, Cell: 418 563-4590, [email protected]
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