Travelling Health Employees Get Safety Signs for Vehicles

The Department of Health is giving its travelling employees signs for their vehicles that say "Call Police." The signs will reduce their risk if they become stranded on isolated roads while on the job.

Called Highway Help, the program is a national police initiative to encourage motorists to carry an easy-to-use, hook-on reflective sign that alerts passing drivers to call for help. The highly visible sign provides an easy way for people to give or receive assistance without leaving their vehicle.

The Department of Health is giving these signs to its home care and adult protection workers and to any other employees who must travel. There are approximately 600 such health department employees.

"Anyone whose job requires a lot of driving knows what can happen. Flat tires, unexpected storms, and breakdowns are all realities of the road," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "The Department of Health takes its responsibility for the safety of its employees seriously. We are the first government department to use this program for our travelling employees."

Elizabeth McCulloch knows the risks first-hand. A senior inspector with the Tobacco Control Unit, she has seen a lot of trouble on the road. "I’m on the road a lot with my job, and I know anything can happen," she said. "I remember once coming across a young girl whose car had broken down between Stewiacke and Milford and who was terrified to roll down her window for a man who had stopped to help. These signs will reduce that kind of fear."

Phil Blandin, director, Occupational Health and Safety at the Department of Health, said giving employees more security was the reason behind the initiative. "It’s also a sad fact that fewer and fewer people seem to be stopping for drivers in trouble because of concerns for their own safety. These signs make both getting and giving help easier," he said.

The Department of Health has committed approximately $2,800 to purchase 600 Highway Help signs.

The Highway Help Program was introduced in 1996 by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police as a result of the deaths of stranded motorists. It was launched nationally by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police In January 2000.