Vision Zero grant makes 100 Mile House pedestrians safer

November 28, 2022

Mike Adams, team leader, health community development, Interior Health, with Susan Paulson, Community Transition Assistant, District of 100 Mile House.

The District of 100 Mile House, situated on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc people, firmly supports the mindset that road safety is everyone’s business. With a population of just 15,000 in the district, it’s a small but progressive community. In fact, 100 Mile House has lowered all the speed limits on their municipal roads to 30 km/h, the same speed for school zones and playgrounds during posted hours.

The community continues to take all reasonable steps to lower the injury risk for their residents and vulnerable road users (e.g., pedestrians, roadside workers, cyclists, and people who use e-scooters, e-bikes, skateboards, etc.).

“It’s important that everyone plays their part to prevent transportation-related injuries,” said Dr. Silvina Mema, Medical Health Officer, Interior Health. “These injuries also affect our communities in other ways. There are significant personal impacts, as well as health-care costs, for people who experience serious injuries.”

In this Story…

What a Vision Zero grant meant for 100 Mile House

About Vision Zero BC

About IH Healthy Communities, Healthy Families

What a Vision Zero grant meant for 100 Mile House

100 Mile House identified the need for speed reduction bumps and warning signs on North Birch Avenue and Evergreen Crescent. These streets are located within an established neighbourhood without sidewalks due to their narrow width.

The streets also lead to the community’s primary sports fields and see high traffic volumes before and after sport events, with vehicles often travelling above the speed limit. This poses a risk to vulnerable road users who have to share the road with vehicles.

A park with green grass, trees and a mountain in the background, with playgrounds, washroom facilities and sports fields. — The community’s primary sports field, at the end of the residential street.

In Spring 2022, 100 Mile House received a $20,000 grant for road safety improvements through the Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program.

The speed humps and speed warning signs had an immediate impact in reducing vehicle speed and creating a safe corridor, while potentially reducing traffic-related injuries.

A speed bump on a narrow street, with a yellow sign that says "Maximum 30 km/h" to the right, and houses on either side. — The speed bump has slowed down traffic on this residential street, making it safer for vulnerable road users who must use the road due to the lack of sidewalks.

“This funding has helped us create calmer, safer residential streets near our soccer fields,” said Mayor of the District of 100 Mile House Maureen Pinkney. “It was the perfect opportunity to act on neighbourhood concerns about speeding traffic and pedestrian safety.”

Residents have noted the calmer vehicle traffic and it has made the pedestrian experience more pleasant. In fact, residents from other neighbourhoods in town have asked how they could also get speed reduction humps installed on their streets.

-- Mayor of the District of 100 Mile House, Maureen Pinkney

About Vision Zero BC

Vision Zero BC has a goal for zero serious injuries and deaths on B.C. roads. The British Columbia Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program provides funding to help groups improve road safety in their communities. In 2022, the program funded 37 infrastructure and other types of road safety improvements to Indigenous governments, local governments and non-governmental organizations (e.g. school districts, Parent Advisory Councils, road safety advocacy groups, etc.), with the goal of reducing injuries to vulnerable road users.

Currently there is another opportunity for project funding and applications are being accepted until Jan. 16, 2023. Funding amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000. More information can be found at the Vision Zero website.

About IH Healthy Communities, Healthy Families

Interior Health’s Healthy Communities, Healthy Families consists of teams specializing in Healthy Communities, Healthy Eating and Food Security, Tobacco & Vaping, and Infant, Child and Youth Health.

They work with local governments, communities, school districts, and families in the southern B.C. Interior for better health and well-being. Through engagement and advocacy these teams influence equity, public policies, physical and social environments and protect the public.