Safety Speaker Returns to Nova Scotia Schools

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Safety Speaker Returns to Nova Scotia Schools

Cara Johnston, a nationally acclaimed safety speaker, from Richmond, B.C., is returning to Nova Scotia this week and will be bringing her safety messages to thousands of students across the province.

Ms. Johnston's twin sister was killed in a motor vehicle collision in 1994, the day after their 18th birthday. Since then, Ms. Johnston has criss-crossed North America, taking her personal story and messages of safety to more than 300,000 students. She spoke to Nova Scotia students in the fall of 2001 and spring of 2002.

"It's important that students have a chance to hear these safety messages, which are delivered in an honest, emotional and powerful manner," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "I expect that Ms. Johnston will be able to connect with students and, hopefully, her messages will prevent future tragedies."

Ms. Johnston's primary message is that teenagers have options when making decisions that could put themselves and others in danger.

This week's tour is sponsored by the province of Nova Scotia, RCMP, Highway 104 Western Alignment Corp., Delphi-MRC, and ACS Technologies.

NOTE: Background information on Cara is available on the Web site at www.CaraJohnston.com . Her tentative schedule in Nova Scotia follows:

Monday, April 28 9 a.m. -- Halifax West High School, Halifax 11 a.m. -- St. Patrick's High School, Halifax 2 p.m. -- Queen Elizabeth High School, Halifax

Tuesday, April 29 9 a.m. -- Hants East Rural High School, Milford 11 a.m. -- Lockview High School, Fall River 2 p.m. -- Eastern Shore District High School, Musquodoboit Harbour

Wednesday, April 30 10:15 a.m. -- Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre, Port Hawkesbury 2 p.m. -- Richmond Academy, Louisdale

Thursday, May 1 11 a.m. -- Holy Angels High School, Sydney 2 p.m. -- Riverview High School, Sydney

Friday, May 2 9 a.m. -- Glace Bay High School, Glace Bay 11 a.m. -- Breton Education Centre, New Waterford 2 p.m. -- Sydney Academy, Sydney

Monday, May 5 2 p.m. -- Duncan MacMillan High School, Sheet Harbour

Tuesday, May 6 8:35 a.m. -- Kings-Edgehill School, Windsor 10:50 a.m. -- Hants West Rural High, Brooklyn 2 p.m. -- Middleton Regional High School, Middleton