In a public show of solidarity, Lower Mainland police and fire chiefs announced today that they are united in their support of Metro Vancouver’s Transit and Transportation Referendum. Citing concerns for public safety, first responders are urging the public to vote Yes to the planned tax increase of 0.5 per cent when they receive their ballots after March 16.
The tax increase will fund an annual budget of $250 million for transit and transportation improvements and be part of a ten-year, $7.5 billion transportation plan which includes a provision for increased service of SkyTrains, late night buses and HandyDart, and road improvements.
“People get hurt and trouble starts in Vancouver’s Entertainment District when the clubs close and there are limited transportation options to get people home safely,” says Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu. “In addition, reducing the reasons for people to drink and drive will increase safety for all of us.”
Police and fire officials say that fewer cars on the road will mean faster response times for emergency vehicles.
“With one million more people moving to the region, there is a real concern that if nothing changes, the growing congestion and gridlock will severely impact how quickly and effectively emergency vehicles can respond,” says Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis. “It’s our belief that the Mayors’ transportation plan will allow us to maintain the prompt response times our residents and business owners have come to expect from us.”
As traffic has increased over the years, the ability of emergency vehicles to respond in a timely manner has become more difficult. Vancouver Police Department statistics show that from 2010 to 2014, priority one responses have been slower by about one minute, on average.
“That minute can mean the difference between life and death,” adds Chief Chu. “We owe it to ourselves to get as many cars off the road as possible.”
Congestion also leads to more accidents.
“Reduced vehicle trips from the suburbs means fewer kilometres driven and less opportunity for crashes, especially higher speed crashes on the highways,” says New Westminster Police Chief Dave Jones. “Consistently, we have seen and heard that traffic-related matters are the number one concern for the public, as it affects both public safety and liability issues in our communities. The transit initiatives included within this referendum are a far more efficient manner of addressing those concerns, as opposed to simply increasing enforcement.”
