THORNHILL, ON, March 28,
2023 /CNW/ - The annual CAA Worst Roads advocacy
campaign is marking its 20th year of influencing change. For the
past two decades, the campaign has given decision-makers a snapshot
of the roads that the public perceives as not meeting their
expectations.
"Our research tells us that 85 per cent of Ontarians are
concerned about the state of our roads," says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of
government and community relations, CAA SCO. "Due to
inflation, consumers are being more mindful of their
purchases, and people are opting to hold on to their cars for
longer instead of buying a new one. Funding for roadway
improvements and proper infrastructure needs to be consistent to
ensure that quality and safety are maintained."
CAA's research also indicates that over half of CAA members (59
per cent) say Ontario's roads have
worsened. Drivers often alter their driving behaviour to
accommodate road issues. Many of them – two-thirds (66 per cent) of
Ontarians – are slowing down for bad spots on the road or swerving
to avoid potholes.
We also know that many people are frustrated with Ontario's roads (78 per cent) and often
express their dissatisfaction to their loved ones or colleagues
instead of government officials. The CAA Worst Roads campaign
allows all road users in Ontario
to vote for roads that they think need urgent repair.
Since 2003, 114 roads in Ontario have appeared on the provincial Top 10
list, of which governments have prioritized some of the roads for
repair.
In 2022, Barton Street East in
Hamilton, Ontario, secured the top
spot on the provincial Worst Roads list. Shortly after the 2022
Worst Road reveal, the City of
Hamilton announced a multi-year, multi-phase reconstruction
of the beleaguered Hamilton route
scheduled to begin late last year.
Other roads, such as Plank Road in Sarnia, Victoria Road in Prince Edward County,
Lauzon Parkway in Windsor, and
Bell Farm Road in Barrie, have
also undergone significant repairs after appearing on the
provincial Top 10 Worst Roads list.
"The campaign has demonstrated that decision-makers are paying
attention to the results, which has prompted municipal officials to
move up infrastructure projects in their communities," says
Di Felice.
The CAA Worst Roads campaign calls on all Ontarians to vote for
their Worst Road today and join the community of drivers, cyclists,
and pedestrians committed to improving Ontario's roads.
Ontarians can vote for their worst road at
caaworstroads.com.
About CAA South Central Ontario
As a leader and
advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is
a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of over
2.4 million Members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with
communities, police services and governments to help keep drivers
and their families safe while travelling on our roads.
SOURCE CAA South Central Ontario