The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Canada Road Safety Week Recognized

With the Victoria Day long weekend upon us, I rise before this Honourable House to recognize Canada Road Safety Week which runs May 16-23.

For many, this coming weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer and people across the province will hit the highway headed for their favourite weekend getaways with families and friends.

During Road Safety Week and always, motorists are encouraged to be mindful of their surroundings. With warmer weather, those of us driving passenger and commercial vehicles must remember that we are sharing the road with other users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists are also reminded to keep a watchful eye out for wildlife that might enter the roadway unexpectedly.

The Provincial Government and our various enforcement agencies work hard to keep the motoring public safe through building and maintaining road infrastructure, inspecting vehicles, enforcing the rules of the road and through public education.

Drivers must do their part as well through such measures as driving defensively and according to road conditions; avoiding unnecessary distractions; keeping both hands on the wheel; and, reducing speed at night, during other times of reduced visibility and when road surfaces are wet.

Through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador, $216.4 million in Provincial Government funding is provided for road and bridge improvements throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This amount will be supplemented by an additional $35.2 million in Federal Government funding, providing for a total road and bridge investment in 2011-12 of $251.6 million. This funding includes $2 million for the province’s brush clearing program which helps to enhance visibility along our roadways.

In addition, the Department of Transportation and Works will spend more than $20 million this year on summer maintenance activities including line painting, the installation and maintenance of highway signage and guide rail and road repairs.

I am sure all Honourable Members will join me in imploring motorists across our province and indeed our entire country to be safe on our roads, not just during Canada Road Safety Week, but every time we sit behind the wheel.

2011 05 16                                                                           1:45 p.m.