Newfoundland and Labrador was recently recognized by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) for achieving the greatest reduction of highway fatalities in Canada for 2006. The national average for 2006 is a reduction by 1.9 per cent. This province has seen a reduction of 12.3 per cent. These reductions are in comparison to the 2001-2004 average.

"We are proud to have been recognized in this way by the AAMVA," said the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Government Services. "Overall, we have achieved promising decreases in areas such as unbelted fatalities, fatalities involving pedestrians, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users and serious injuries. The number of these incidents is decreasing but we are still working hard to ensure the numbers continue that downward trend."

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has implemented a number of measures to make the province�s roads safer. These include the recent implementation of booster seat legislation requiring drivers to use booster seats in their cars and trucks for young children, and the YOU Are in Control campaign which educates drivers on speeding, seat belts, impaired driving and cell phone use. The Provincial Government is also investing $73 million in its 2008 Provincial Roads Program.

"Safety is the number-one priority of the Department of Transportation and Works," said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Transportation and Works. "The Williams Government has made unprecedented investments in summer and winter maintenance of our provincial roads. Additionally, we have invested millions of dollars in road-safety initiatives such as Road Weather Information System equipment, Weigh-in-Motion sensors, rumble strips and an Automatic Road Analyzer vehicle, to name just a few. It�s rewarding to know these investments are making a difference."

The province is also an active member of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) which reports to the Council of Ministers and Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety. One of the key initiatives of CCMTA is Road Safety Vision 2010, a national road safety plan. The goal of the plan is to make Canada�s roads the safest in the world. The national objective of Road Safety Vision 2010 is to achieve a 30 per cent reduction in highway deaths and serious injuries by 2010 that is supported by eight sub-targets: occupant restraint use; impaired driving; commercial vehicle safety; improved highway safety on rural roadways; high-risk drivers; young drivers; vulnerable road users; speed and intersection safety.

"This award is also one to be shared with our road safety partners as they do tremendous work to make our highways safer," said Minister O�Brien. "In particular, we have developed a close working relationship with these partners on the Traffic Safety Committee which has resulted in the YOU Are in Control campaign."

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