Safety Messaging Trailer

When the feedback from the Medicine Hat Policing and Safety Survey was received in 2008 it was clear that the Public wanted more communication from the Police Service. Specifically requested was more information relating to the safe operation of vehicles.

In May of 2008 the Executive Team held a priority setting session where, among others, Communication and Road Safety were identified as major priorities.  Following the establishment of the Service priorities each work unit held strategic planning sessions to plan activities that would assist in achieving the priorities.

During the planning session held by the Traffic Units, road safety was defined as “the reduction of motor vehicle collisions, loss of life and property damage caused by motor vehicles”.  Several activities were developed in support of the Road Safety priority including:

• Increased coordination between the Traffic Response Unit and the Specialized Traffic Enforcement Unit
• Enhanced partnerships with other road safety groups
• Vigilant enforcement
• Communication and linkage of enforcement activities

In January 2009, when Chief McGrogan provided his Directional Statement during the Service Regimental Parade he reinforced the Service commitment to the priorities.

“Our community told us through the survey that they wanted us to communicate and tie our enforcement activities to safety and they wanted the police to provide more information on safe operation of vehicles. Our priority is to initiate a messaging and educational program on safe operation of vehicles targeted at reducing the number of collisions and infractions.”

Through this process a safety messaging trailer was identified as an effective means to address the community’s concerns and achieve the Service priorities.  The messaging trailer will be used primarily be the Specialized Traffic Enforcement and Traffic Response Units but will also be available for use by other Police units as needed. 

The safety messaging trailer is capable of being a safety messaging board, gathering road user data and detecting speeds.  The unit is quite flexible in that each of these functions can be used together or on their own.  Messages can be displayed on one, two or three lines.

• 1 line – up to 4 characters (high impact)
• 2 lines – up to 12 characters on the 1st line and 8 characters on the 2nd line or vise versa
• 3 lines – up to 12 characters per line

Messaging strategies were developed in consultation with community road safety partners.  Messaging topics will include:

• School zone safety
• Impaired driving
• Speeding
• Safe operation of motor vehicles

One message per week will be displayed, rotating the trailer around the City to ensure effective coverage to the motoring public.  The message displayed the first week of each month will highlight the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan STEP program for that month.

The Service would like to engage the community and is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying what road safety issues and messages they would like displayed on the safety messaging trailer.

We'd Like Your Input: