Apply for a Pace Car grant to combat speeders in your neighbourhood!
Jul
19
Written by:
19/07/2011 10:47 AM
We’ve all experienced it. It’s a hot summer evening and you’re preparing dinner while your child 
goes outside with a friend to play ball in front of your house. Inevitably the ball slips out of your child’s hand and rolls onto the road. He is just about to go after it when a car zooms down your street going at least 60 km/hr in a 40km/hr residential zone. Luckily, your child didn’t run after the ball or else something as innocent as playing outside could have taken a turn for the worst.
When cars are driving, they tend to think that they will see if a child were to run onto the road and will have enough time to brake in time, when in reality, this is not the case. A pedestrian who is struck by a car travelling at 50 km/h has a greater chance of being killed than a pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 30 km/h. What most drivers don’t know is that reducing vehicle speed is proven to prevent crashes and reduce the severity of injuries.
So, what can you do?
If cars are driving too fast in your neighbourhood, consider applying for a Safe Kids Canada Pace Car grant, supported by FedEx Express Canada. Drivers who sign up pledge to drive the posted speed limit and become a “mobile speed bump” causing the cars behind them to slow down as well. Grant recipients in the past have had great success with the Pace Car Program by getting schools, parents, and neighbours to participate and display the Pace Car window cling and bumper sticker on their car. If you’re frustrated with cars speeding in your neighbourhood and you’re a member of an existing community coalition/committee or local school, apply for the Pace Car grant. If you’re not, encourage these community groups to get involved and apply for the grant. You only need a small percentage of vehicles acting as Pace Cars to slow traffic community-wide and start a positive cycle!
Grant applications must be submitted by September 30. For more information on Pace Car Grants, check out our website.
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