Pour le français, cliquez ici.
This page offers language and points you can use when contacting your councillor about vehicular turns on red downtown. Note that the more your message is personalized, the more likely your councillor is to take it seriously. Note also that there are several places that need personalizing: 1) your councillor in the recipients line, 2) your councillor in the salutation, 3) an opportunity to add your own experiences, and 4) your name in the closing.
Finally, when you send your message, please consider CCing us ([email protected]) so we can track both messages sent and responses received.
________________
To: [YOUR COUNCILLOR’S EMAIL], [email protected], [email protected]
[YOUR COUNCILLOR’S NAME]
Councillor Tim Tierney, Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
Alain Gonthier, General Manager, Public Works Department
Re: Prohibiting vehicular turns on red downtown
Dear [YOUR COUNCILLOR’S NAME],
I write to you about City staff’s recommendation that vehicular turns on red not be prohibited downtown.
This recommendation is misguided. It prioritizes momentary convenience for drivers over everyone else’s safety.
The report argues that we can’t prohibit vehicular turns on red because drivers will get frustrated and disobey the rules. But we shouldn’t design our transportation system to reward bad behaviour.
The report also argues that prohibiting vehicular turns on red will create more congestion. But according to the basic principle of induced demand, this prohibition would in fact reduce congestion, making downtown more navigable for drivers and safer for everyone.
Finally, the report argues that prohibiting vehicular turns on red is safer for pedestrians and cyclists. But experience easily shows these arguments are patently wrong. [SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES.]
I therefore ask that you oppose staff’s misguided recommendation and stand up for road safety in Ottawa.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]