With summer on the horizon, traffic is increasing, and that means taking responsibility when driving.
“Long weekends are a time to socialize with friends and family and take road trips,” said Cpl. Jennifer Clarke of the Nova Scotia RCMP. “If you are planning to hit the road, please ignore your electronic devices, wear your seatbelt, obey the speed limit and never drive while impaired.”
Saturday, May 20, is National Impaired Driving Enforcement day, and police will be at checkpoints throughout the province to reinforce the message that impaired driving is dangerous and will not be tolerated.
Nova Scotia RCMP responded to 42 fatal collisions and 103 serious injury collisions in 2016. Alcohol or drugs were a causal factor in 26 of those collisions.
Impaired driving is the most common factor in fatal collisions in Nova Scotia.
“These incidents are 100 per cent preventable,” said Susan MacAskill, chapter services manager, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Atlantic Canada. “No one needs to be killed or injured if everyone makes responsible choices.”
She suggests options such as calling a cab, using public transportation, staying overnight at a friend’s house, or having parents make a contract with their children to ensure a ride home.
In addition to driving sober, Nova Scotians can also help by calling 911 and reporting erratic drivers before a collision happens.
“Everybody can do something,” said Ms. MacAskill.
The province works with road safety partners, including the RCMP, the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association and Safety Services Nova Scotia to raise awareness and education about road safety.
For more information on road safety go to: http://novascotia.ca/tran/roadsafety/roadsafety.asp.
Source: Release
