Setting the pace

Could a system used to get an auto race started also be used to get cars to slow down?  The City of Fredericton is apparently looking at just such a plan.

The city's Public Safety Committee is looking into joining the Pace Car Program as an effort to reduce a significant problem with speeding on city streets.

The Pace Car Program is already in place in approximately two dozen cities across North America, including a couple in western Canada. Under the program, volunteer drivers, in vehicles marked as Pace Cars, travel city streets, driving at the appropriate speed limit and obeying all traffic signs and laws.  Some cities report the program resulting in speed rates dropping as much as 8km/hr and reducing accidents and injuries significantly.

Supporters of the program claim it is an inexpensive way of addressing the issue, opening up police resources to be used elsewhere.  It also eliminates the costs of creating “sleeping policemen” speed bumps and other slowing devices.

Opponents, on the other hand, cite the possibilities of increased incidents of road rage and revenge against the Pace Car owners.  In Edmonton, the program had to be temporarily abandoned when volunteer drivers expressed their anxieties over driving in a “marked” vehicle. 

In Fredericton, the plan is to use vehicles driven by city employees and identified as city vehicles, rather than volunteer civilian cars.

At first glance, it sounds like a good idea for slowing down traffic in a congested area. It might be an important complement to a Citizens on Patrol Program. Indeed, the COP program could be the source of the trained volunteers and identifiable vehicles. 

Perhaps if it is implemented and proves successful in Fredericton, other Maritime centres could take a look at the program as well. Some of our Nova Scotia forces could then put away their orange vests and survey equipment.

Frank Likely is a retired Anglican minister and past president of the Springhill and Area Chamber of Commerce.