This attitude affects the speed at which government intervenes with regulations and standards for safety. More interventions are necessary. Transport Canada has been a major player in the setting of motor vehicle standards and monitoring. Motor vehicle manufacturers have made major contributions to highway safety through improved design and production quality. However, there is no doubt that government safety standards have been a compelling force behind those improvements.
Safety standards require continued attention.
Given Canada's role and market size, Canada can only achieve the desired improvements through harmonization with other jurisdictions. That harmonization must go beyond North America, as the vehicle market is truly global. The Canadian government should make a concerted effort to accelerate the rate of harmonization initiatives. Every delay can cost lives, in addition to significant other social costs. Canada must retain the option of acting unilaterally for safety when harmonization cannot be achieved, as it did with the introduction of a requirement for daytime running lights.