CARS committee calls it quits

The Central Algoma Road Safety (CARS) committee, a two-time Ministry of Transportation Road Safety Award winner, has officially disbanded.

The committee was formed following a tragic death of an area teen.

It has hosted a wide variety of road safety initiatives, produced numerous road safety messages, displayed important road safety message by way of an advertised sign, and supported several municipal road safety issues.

It was agreed to by mutual consensus to disband the committee.

“We have done a lot,” said committee Chair Marlee Hopkins. “There is still a lot of safety issues of concern, but it’s hoped through social media the message can still get out there.”

CARS was formed in June 2003 following a tragic motor vehicle collision in March of that year that claimed the life of Joshua Brockelbank, a 16-year-old area teen.

Brockelbank was killed on Highway 17 East in Desbarats, near Central Algoma Secondary School.

Committee members comprised a cross-section of supporters from both the private and corporate sector, representing municipalities between Echo Bay and Thessalon including St. Joseph Island.

CARS’ mandate was to promote, improve and advance community awareness of traffic safety.

In addition to the numerous newsletters and other printed safety awareness material, CARS partnered with agencies such as the Ministry of Transportation, Algoma District School Board, Ontario Provincial Police, Transport and busing companies, Emergency Services and Driving School to conduct various safety initiatives.

CARS won two Ontario Ministry of Transportation Road Safety Achievement Awards - 2009 in the Volunteer category, and the 2011 Initiative of the Year.

“I believe we did a lot of good work when we had a full membership, but a number of people left for various reasons,” Hopkins said.

It was agreed, when the committee was formed and for several years that followed, there was overwhelming support by students.

Funding and volunteers needed to host to various road safety initiative by such a small group saw its membership decline over the years.  

The five existing committee members, including four original members, attended its final meeting on April 11.

At that meeting, the members discussed how to dispense with the committee’s property and remaining funds.

The Ekoba Historical Museum in Echo Bay has agreed to store the committee’s artifacts.  

The two MTO awards, photographs and printed documents will be delivered at a future date.

The committee’s remaining undisclosed funds will be donated to the CASS Scholarship Fund.

Effective June of this year, and for the next three years, a scholarship will be presented to a CASS graduate that “exemplifies civic responsibility and community service.”

Hopkins thanked the committee members for their hard work over the years.

“It has been a pleasure working with this group of dedicated volunteers over the past 13 years,” Hopkins said. “I know our committee did an excellent job through all of our endeavours promoting road safety in our area.”

Past issues included all-terrain vehicles, stop for school bus, first rider program, new signage, flashing green lights, as well as, drinking and driving, distracted driving, road rallies, bus rodeos, mock collision, seat belt campaigns, safe cycling, schools crossing safety, students presentations and challenges, and legislative alerts or changes.