On September 24, the citizens of the town of Lorraine (Québec) came together in a powerful display of shared responsibility for road safety. More than 1,000 elementary-school students from the municipality’s three primary schools took to the streets in a special awareness-walk. This action underscored the message: safe roads are the result of all of us paying attention.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Régie intermunicipale de police Thérèse‑De Blainville (RIPTB) and the municipal administration of Lorraine, as part of the campaign titled “Here, we drive slowly!” (« Ici, on roule au ralenti! »).
Why the campaign
The aim of the campaign is to strengthen vigilance among both young people and adults — and to encourage motorists to adopt a benevolent, patient driving behaviour with respect to all road users. The escargot (snail) motif serves as a friendly reminder of the importance of slowing down.
According to local news, instead of formal sanctions, police officers handed out “courtesy tickets” to drivers who demonstrated exemplary behaviour — a creative form of positive reinforcement.
The September 24 march
During the walk on September 24, schools and police worked together to reinforce the message that road-safety is not just the job of drivers, but a collective responsibility ― especially when children are involved. The presence of more than a thousand students made a visible statement about the value placed on safe streets around schools.
What’s next
The campaign continues throughout the municipality: signage (featuring the snail motif) is available for residents who wish to display it on their property in support of the initiative, and other interactive elements (such as giant snail installations) are planned to reinforce the message visually in neighbourhoods.
The Lorraine initiative shows how municipal governments and local police forces can work together in innovative ways — shifting the focus from punishment to encouragement, and from driver-only messages to broader community engagement. By involving young students, the campaign builds early awareness of safety issues and fosters a culture of respect on the road.
As the mayor of Lorraine said, each motorist who chooses to slow down is making a direct contribution to the safety of neighbours, children, and older adults.
