January 18, 2011 - The year 2011 has been designated the National Year of Road Safety in Canada.In the Northwest Territories, the Department of Transportation’s (DoT) Drive Alive program will continue initiatives to improve driver, passenger, cyclist, and pedestrian safety throughout the year.

Michael McLeod, the Minister of Transportation, says there are encouraging signs that drivers and passengers are taking road safety seriously, with traffic collision statistics from 2009 showing a continuation of a 20 year downward trend in the number of collisions. Minister McLeod remains concerned, however, with the high number of avoidable injuries and fatalities.

“Drivers are still driving when their judgment is impaired by fatigue, alcohol, and drugs, and that is costly in terms of injuries and fatalities that could have been avoided,” he said. “By avoiding distractions, driving only when well-rested and sober, and wearing properly fitting occupant restraints, we can reduce the number of collisions further, and that will save lives.”

During 2011, the Drive Alive program will focus on the following public awareness initiatives:

1. A pledge campaign to reduce the number of people who use their cell phone while driving;


2. An information campaign to increase the number of drivers and passengers using properly fitting seat belts and child restraints;


3. An awareness campaign to challenge residents to avoid driving when their judgment is impaired by fatigue, alcohol, and drugs;


4. A multi-media campaign on the need to drive at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions, particularly in bison country.

 

The 2009 Traffic Collision Report, providing details of motor vehicle collisions, injuries, and fatalities in the NWT, is now available on DoT’s

website: http://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/home.aspx. The Report indicates that the number of NWT collisions declined 20%, the number of persons injured declined 14%, and there were five traffic fatalities, including two pedestrians.

Drive Alive, the travel safety information program of the Government of Northwest Territories, reminds residents there is more we can all do to reduce the number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities on the roads, trails, and waterways of the NWT.

For more information, please contact:

Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation, GNWT
Tel: (867) 873-7712
Email: earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca