Canada Road Safety Week

May 18-24, 2010 marks Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world.

As part of Canada Road Safety Week, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Halifax Regional Police continue to urge motorists to drive safely and obey the rules of the road.

Officers in our respective traffic units will be conducting roadside traffic safety checkpoints during the campaign, with a focus on behaviours that reduce risks for drivers, passengers and other road users, including erratic and impaired driving, speeding, crosswalk and stop sign infractions, and cell phone violations.

“RCMP across Nova Scotia will be targeting driver behaviours that are responsible for many of the fatal and serious injury collisions that occur on our highways. These behaviours include impaired driving, speeding and aggressive driving, and failure to wear seatbelts,” says Inspector Sput McCarthy, Officer in Charge of RCMP Traffic Services for the Province of Nova Scotia. “We ask drivers to please act responsibly – do not drink and drive, be patient, respectful and courteous towards other road users and ensure that everyone in your vehicle is buckled up before heading out on the road.”

“The Victoria Day long weekend signifies the start of summer with a lot of people on the roads and highways. We encourage people to drive with extra caution to ensure everyone makes it to their destination and home again safely. Safe driving and the rules of the road should be the only thing people are focused on when behind the wheel, particularly where the situation on the road can change in mere seconds,” says Supt. Don Spicer, HRM’s Public Safety Officer.

Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP encourage safe and sober driving.

Always remember:

– pay attention to the road and don’t drive when you’re tired;
– be a patient and courteous driver and refrain from all aspects of aggressive driving;
– reduce your speed;
– wear your seatbelt;
– don’t use your cell phone while driving;
– don’t drink and drive.

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by Transport Canada and endorsed by police across the country in an effort to improve public safety on our roadways.