Road Safety Week Encourages Motorists to Drive Safely
Digital Government and Service NLJustice and Public Safety
2022-05-17

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are reminded to practice safe and defensive driving this upcoming Victoria Day weekend, which will see many residents heading out over the province’s roadways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

Each year, the Provincial Government recognizes Canada Road Safety Week (May 17-23 this year), a national campaign designed to increase public compliance with safe driving measures in order to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The theme of this year’s campaign is ’Safer You. Safer Me.’, emphasizing that the decisions drivers make not only affect them, but also their passengers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Canada Road Safety Week is an enforcement-driven initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and is part of the broader Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025. The Safety Strategy aims to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world, focusing on behaviours that put drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users most at risk, including:

  • Drug-impaired driving
  • Alcohol-impaired driving
  • Fatigue-impaired driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driving without a seatbelt

The Provincial Government continues to work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and other safety partners and advocates, to take action and promote awareness in an effort to improve safety on our highways.

Quotes
“While government regularly reviews and updates the Highway Traffic Act to help ensure the safety of residents, it is ultimately up to drivers to be responsible and attentive behind the wheel. Many of these incidents are preventable, so always keep safety top-of-mind, because one senseless tragedy on our roadways is one too many.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“Public safety involves a collaborative effort with our police agencies, the RNC and the RCMP, and the communities they serve. It is our collective responsibility to create a culture of safe and responsible drivers to ensure anyone traveling our roads can do so safely and reduce the risk of tragedy.”
Honourable John Hogan, QC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

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Learn more

Canada Road Safety Week

Highway Traffic Act

News Release: Highway Signs to Remind Motorists of Distracted Driving

News Release: Legislative Changes Further Enhance Road Safety and Consumer Protection

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Media contacts
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Emily Jane-Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
emilygillingham@gov.nl.ca

2022 05 17 10:20 am