Organization plans to use Twitter to help curb traffic jams
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) says that traffic jams are costing the country and its consumers and businesses millions of dollars in lost productivity, yet federal parties have done little to address the issue.
As such, the FCM is launching an online program called "Cut My Commute." The FCM hopes that by commuters airing their frustrations via Twitter, legislators will address the prevalence of traffic jams plaguing many Canadian highways.
"Party leaders need to take a good look out the window at the traffic gridlock choking our cities," said Carl Zehr, Chairman of FCM's Big City Mayors Caucus. "Reducing commute times must be a priority in this election and in the future, no matter which party forms the government."
By logging on to the campaign's website, commuters can view real-time estimates for how much traffic delays are costing area businesses. They can then vent their travel frustrations to political parties and their mayoral candidates via Twitter.
Should the campaign prove effective, it may lead to auto insurance savings overall as less congestion often leads to fewer accidents.