One Traffic Fatality is One Too Many, Op-Ed

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece by Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks.

In 2009, 72 Nova Scotians lost their lives as a result of traffic collisions in our province, the least deadly year on our roads. I am pleased that this number is decreasing, but just one death on Nova Scotia roads is one too many.

Since becoming Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, I've quickly learned that the term accident should not be used in road safety.

Driver inattention, exceeding the speed limit and driving too fast for conditions were the most frequently identified factors which contributed to fatal collisions last year. Twenty-four per cent of drivers involved in fatal collisions were impaired by alcohol.

Would you believe that 49 per cent of those who were killed in fatal collisions last year were not wearing a seatbelt? This is one of the simplest things we can do to protect ourselves on the road.

The province has introduced several road safety initiatives in an effort to save lives and make life better for Nova Scotians. Some of these initiatives include banning hand-held cellphones, increasing the penalties for impaired drivers, the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program and Campaign 911.

While I believe our initiatives are making a difference, we can do better. Road crashes are preventable and every Nova Scotian has a role to play in making our roads safer.

Nov. 17 is the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. I encourage all Nova Scotians to take a moment to remember those who have lost their lives on our roads and honour them by slowing down, buckling up, cutting out distractions, and not drinking and driving.