Highway Deaths Reach All-Time Low

Fewer people died on Nova Scotia's roads last year than ever before, figures released today by the Department of Transportation and Public Works show.

The department reported 84 highway deaths in 1998, down from 89 the previous year. Last year's 73 fatal accidents and 84 deaths are the lowest annual numbers on record in Nova Scotia.

"Safety on Nova Scotia roads is our main business," said Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "These figures are promising, but we can do better. I'd like to see the number of people killed fall to zero. We have to invest in the best possible highway system to keep those numbers down."

Many factors have influenced the steady decline in highway deaths since 1973, when 277 people died on Nova Scotia roads, said Mr. Huskilson. Better highways, better use of child restraints and seat-belts, safer vehicles, and increased public awareness of safe-driving practices have helped save lives.

Robbie Harrison, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, pointed to Nova Scotia's road safety advisory committee as a key player in continuing to make Nova Scotia a safer province for drivers.

"Improving road safety and decreasing fatalities are priorities of this government," said Mr. Harrison. "A multi-stakeholder road safety advisory committee is already developing, implementing and evaluating programs that address safety issues such as drinking and driving, child-seat restraints, seat-belt use and driver inattention."

Supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the RCMP, the committee undertook its first public awareness campaign in December with a highly visible Don't Drink and Drive billboard message.

Alcohol continues to be a major factor in motor vehicle accident deaths, accounting for about 40 per cent in 1998. There were 33 alcohol-related highway fatalities last year, the same as in 1997.

Excessive speed and driving too fast for conditions were factors in 14 deaths, down from 16 the previous year.

Eleven pedestrians were killed compared with 10 in 1997, and there were six motorcycle fatalities compared with three the previous year.

Tom Haney, executive director of the Nova Scotia Safety Council, said the 1998 figures "underscore the need for a strong, vigorous road safety advisory committee, and they indicate what the committee's priorities should be.

"The highest number of fatalities were alcohol related, followed by excessive speed and pedestrian accidents," Mr. Haney said. "It's obvious we need a concerted effort by all stakeholders to reduce the number of Nova Scotians killed on our roads every year."

A record year for tourism in 1998 also meant there were more vehicles on provincial roads, particularly in the summer. Mr. Huskilson said fewer fatal accidents despite more traffic is good news.

"Drivers are exercising greater caution, and improvements to our highways are making them safer for travellers," said the minister.

Mr. Huskilson pointed to the Cobequid Pass as an example of how building and maintaining good highways can reduce the number of accidents and fatalities. Since the highway opened in November 1997, not a single fatality has occurred in or around the Wentworth Valley.

He said Nova Scotians can look forward to two new stretches of road opening this year, the 12-kilometre stretch of Highway 104 from Salt Springs to Alma, and a seven-kilometre twinning of Highway 125 in North Sydney.

"But there's a lot more to do out there. Better roads are safer roads," said Mr. Huskilson. "The more we can do to improve our roads, the better off we'll all be."