Transportation Officials Cite Budget Cuts for Data Delays
New Brunswick’s transportation department has resolved a significant backlog in highway collision data logging that stemmed from budget cuts over a decade ago, according to recent legislative testimony. Deputy Transportation Minister Kelly Cain revealed to the public accounts committee that upon joining the department in 2016, she encountered “boxes and boxes” of unprocessed collision reports with no staff assigned to manage them.
Safety Strategy Gap and Fatality Rates
Cain acknowledged the department currently lacks a comprehensive highway safety strategy to reduce collisions. “We are negligent in that,” she stated during the committee hearing. “It is a piece of work that’s in our work plan.” This admission follows a recent audit report highlighting that New Brunswick recorded Canada’s highest per-capita traffic fatality rate among provinces last year.
Data Analysis Delays Impact Road Safety
The audit found transportation officials failed to analyze police collision reports promptly, with no reports completed within one year and 80% taking between one to two years for processing. These delays hinder the department’s ability to identify necessary road improvements to prevent accidents, according to the auditor’s findings.
Recovery from Past Cuts
Cain attributed the data backlog primarily to resource reductions between 2010-2014 under previous government leadership. “It was a massive exercise to rehire people and get up and running again,” she explained, confirming the department has now eliminated the backlog through multi-year efforts.
New Systems and Ongoing Challenges
A digital reporting system now automatically collects collision data from police agencies through the Department of Public Safety. Officials use this information to implement safety measures like adjusted speed limits, improved signage, and enhanced guardrails. However, Cain noted not all municipal police forces have adopted the new platform.
Future Budget Concerns
With the current government exploring potential service reductions to fund healthcare and economic priorities, Progressive Conservative MLA Rob Weir expressed concern about renewed data collection disruptions. While Cain assured committee members technology would minimize impacts from any future budget adjustments, Weir told reporters: “Any cut that affects how we collect collision data is something that I’m not pleased to hear.”
The deputy minister cautioned that even with improved data systems, distracted driving and human factors would continue contributing significantly to collision rates regardless of infrastructure improvements.
