YELLOWKNIFE (October 25, 2012) – Pedestrians, particularly parents of children, are reminded of the importance of wearing reflective material when walking on our sidewalks, streets and highways. Children walking to and from school and those using crosswalks will be most visible to drivers when wearing reflective material on their outer clothing.
Each year, pedestrians injured in motor vehicle accidents in the Northwest Territories number in the teens with children representing about one third of those injured. Minister of Transportation David Ramsay, the Minister responsible for the Drive Alive program, reminds drivers to use extra caution at this time of the year, particularly during the hour before and after school and during the Halloween ‘trick or treat’ time.
“Drivers contribute to the safety of our roads and highways by driving without distractions such as cell phones, by paying attention, and by respecting pedestrians using crosswalks.” Minister Ramsay said. “Pedestrians and parents of children can contribute to their own safety by ensuring they are visible to drivers by wearing reflective material on their outer clothing.
Parents can further ensure their children are safer by making themselves and their children familiar with the principles of the SafeWalk program, which are:
- Always wear reflective material on your clothes and gear
- When no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic
- Make eye contact with drivers at crossings
- Walk, don’t run across roads
- Don’t walk between vehicles. Cross only at intersections.
For more information, and the opportunity to be one of 300 people to receive two retro reflective armbands, please visit the SafeWalk Presentation on our website.
Drive Alive is the road safety information program of the Government of Northwest Territories.
For more information, contact:
Earl Blacklock
Manager of Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: 867-873-7712
Cell: 867-445-3494
e-mail: earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca