Projet Montréal wants to put an end to fatal accidents during snow removal operations

MONTREAL, Jan. 10, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Now that Montreal has adopted a Vision Zero strategy in 2016, Projet Montréal believes that the time has come to apply those principles to snow removal operations. The Official Opposition wants the City of Montreal to demand safety devices on all heavy vehicles involved in snow removal operations, including those used by its contractors and subcontractors.

"Every winter, Montrealers have to deal with the ballet of trucks, snowploughs and snow blowers. And every winter, they risk being hit by this heavy machinery, which is all too rarely fitted with devices designed to reduce the risk of collisions. All heavy vehicles used during snow removal operations should be equipped with blind spot reducing devices, such as convex mirrors and cameras, and with side bars – these devices can save the lives of pedestrians or cyclists involved in collisions. It's simply unacceptable that in 2017, we just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. We need to act now so that no more deaths or serious injuries occur during snow removal operations in Montreal", says Valérie Plante, leader of the Official Opposition.

Since the tragic death of Jessica Holman-Price in Westmount, in 2005, most of the City of Montreal's vehicles have been equipped with lateral protection systems. However, there is currently no obligation for contractors or subcontractors who take part in snow removal operations to do so. And in spite of the four deaths which occurred during a single winter, in 2008-2009, blind spot reducing devices are not mandatory for any heavy vehicle travelling in the streets of Montreal. "In his report published in 2010, Mr. Luc Malouin, of the Bureau du coroner, recommended that the City include, in its requirements for snow removal contractors, the contractual obligation to install safety devices, such as convex mirrors, cameras and side-bars. Since then, nothing has been added to the contract specifications, and contractors and subcontractors continue to use vehicles that have none of these safety devices. It's about time that this situation is corrected", adds Craig Sauvé, Official Opposition spokesperson for transportation.

Projet Montréal is asking the City of Montreal to demand that its contractors and its snow removal teams use only vehicles equipped with safety equipment such as convex mirrors, cameras, and side bars. The Official Opposition will table a motion to this effect at the January 23^rd session of City Council. The motion is available at http://bit.ly/vision-zero-deneigement.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Opposition officielle à l'Hôtel de Ville de Montréal

Marie-Eve Gagnon, Chief of Staff, City of Montreal - Official Opposition, 514 872-0247 / 514 516-3120, [email protected]

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