Have an idea how to make Quebec roads safer? Now is your chance to weigh in

Quebec is offering residents a chance to recommend ways to make the province's roads safer.

TheTransport Ministry and the SAAQ, the province's automobile insurance board,are launching a round of public consultations, starting today.

"Basically we want to hear citizens people that don't usually have a voice to express their concerns and also solutions regarding road safety in Quebec," saidClaudiaDi Iorio, a spokesperson for theSAAQ consultations.

DiIoriotold CBC Homerun that this will provide a forum to discuss pressing safety issues, like turning right on red lights. With different sides tabling proposals, maybe common ground can be found, she said.

What will be discussed

The consultation will be organized around four major questions:

• What are the biggest road safety issues in your community or in Quebec in general?
• Who else should have a role to play in road safety, aside from the government?
• What should be done in order to get everyone to take concrete steps toward preventing accidents?
• Whatmeasures should be implemented to improve road safety?

The consultations will tackle a whole range of topics, including (but not limited to):

• Cyclists.
• Drinking and driving.
• Driver distraction.
• Drugs and driving.
• Heavy vehicles.
• Insurance contributions.
• Motorcyclists.
• Pedestrians.
• Infrastructure development and maintenance, road signs and traffic signals.
• Seat belts and child safety seats.
• Young drivers and road safety education.

Right turns at red lights will also be up for debate.

A group of Montreal-area mayors made the case last month to remove the island-wide ban on turning right on red, whilecycling and pedestrian activists have argued that would be a bad idea.

• Montreal mayors say right turns on red lights could improve traffic flow

"It's definitely a step backwards," saidDan Lambert, who represents the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists ofWestmount.

How to have your say

Quebecerscan providefeedback on the SAAQ website starting today, while public meetings begin next month.

Public consultation sessions will be held in 11 cities across Quebec:

• Feb. 3: Chibougamau.
• Feb. 6: Val-d'Or.
• Feb. 8: Gatineau.
• Feb. 10: Baie-Comeau.
• Feb. 14: Rimouski.
• Feb. 16: Trois-Rivires.
• Feb. 20: Saguenay.
• Feb. 22: Sainte-Adle.
• Feb. 24: Sherbrooke.
• Feb. 27 and 28: Montreal.
• March 2 and 3: Quebec City.

The recommendations will then be handed over to the Transport Ministry for study. Check out the SAAQ website for more information.

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