Minister of Transport Denis Lebel Marks National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims

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Nov 23, 2011, 10:03 ET

OTTAWA, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - To mark the fourth annual National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, invites all Canadians to take a moment to remember road crash victims.

"This Wednesday, let's honour the memory of road crash victims and their families by taking the time to rethink the way we drive," said Minister Lebel. "Making the decision to prevent accidents and save lives can be as simple as wearing a seatbelt, slowing down, or not using a cell phone or texting while driving."

Each year in Canada, almost 2,200 road users are killed and approximately 172,000 people are injured in car collisions. In fact, on average, six people die every day on Canada's roads from motor vehicle collisions.

"Our government takes road safety very seriously and has introduced important measures to better protect Canadians while driving," added Minister Lebel. "For example, since September 1, 2011, all new vehicles sold in Canada must be equipped with electronic stability control, a crash avoidance system. We have also passed legislation that cracks down on street racing and drug-impaired driving by introducing stiffer criminal penalties. Our government will continue to work hard to achieve our goal of greater road safety for the benefit of all Canadians."

While the number of fatalities and injuries is going down, more effort is needed. Most traffic collisions can be avoided. These tragedies affect all of us — including family, friends and colleagues of the victims. Drivers can improve road safety by:

not drinking and driving;
not speeding;
not texting or using a cell phone while driving (Take the Pledge: Leave the Phone Alone); and
always wearing a seatbelt.

To learn more about road safety advice, please see Transport Canada's safe driving tips on our website.

To honour the memory of those lost in road collisions, Transport Canada invites you to read the stories of six Canadians who died in such collisions. Collectively their stories represent a snapshot of the loss to our country every day.

The National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims website has downloadable decals, safe driving tips, statistics and an interactive "leave the phone alone" pledge form. It also has virtual bouquets and teddy bears in the "Tribute to Victims" section that people can post in memory of someone they lost in a crash.

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