YELLOWKNIFE (November 21, 2012) -- Today marks the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. The day is set aside to remember those who have been seriously injured or killed due to a collision on our roads and trails.

Transportation Minister David Ramsay reminds residents of the NWT that the month of November is Road Safety Month, a time to take extra caution when driving. "Paying attention to simple rules of the road can help everyone remain safe," he said. "By obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, and avoiding distractions, we can do our part to make NWT roads the safest in North America."

To this point in 2012, there have been two fatalities on Northwest Territories roads. Historically, serious injuries and fatalities on NWT streets and highways have been primarily due to four factors:

1.  Failure to wear seat belts. Drivers and passengers in the Northwest Territories are 13 times more likely to die in a collision if they're not wearing their seat belts.

2.  Driving while one's judgment is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. Alcohol in particular is associated with a higher risk of being involved in a collision.

3.  Driving too fast for road and weather conditions. Even driving at the speed limit can be too fast, depending on conditions. Driving well above the speed limit is dangerous, even when conditions appear to be good. Most collisions occur under favourable conditions.

4.  Risk-taking behaviour. Combining different risk-taking behaviour such as being distracted or impaired, being reckless, driving at too high a speed, and not wearing one's seat belt significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death while on the road.

On this Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, we remember those whose lives were damaged or destroyed by the actions of others, as well as those who made errors in judgment that led to their own injury or death. The day is also an opportunity to reflect on what we all can do to reduce our own risk of being a road crash victim. For example:

1.  Never get in a vehicle driven by a reckless or impaired driver.

2.  Do not tolerate risk-taking behaviour by your driver. Find another way home if needed.

3.  If you're the driver, give driving your full attention.

More information on the Day of Remembrance can be found at www.rememberroadcrashvictims.ca.  The Department of Transportation website has a link to the Drive Alive program on its website at www.dot.gov.nt.ca

For more information, please contact:

Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications Manager responsible for the Drive Alive program Department of Transportation, GNWT
867-873-7712
867-445-3494 (cell)