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

Snow Means Slow Campaign Launched to Promote Winter Road Safety

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce the annual launch of the Snow Means Slow winter road safety awareness campaign. The Department of Transportation and Works endeavours to reach drivers with the Snow Means Slow message every year at this time to remind them to adjust their driving habits to road and weather conditions.

Driving safely is vital at all times of the year, however, the weather we experience in Newfoundland and Labrador places extra emphasis on safe driving practices as we head further into the winter season. Snow can create highly dangerous driving conditions with white-outs and reduced visibility.

The Department of Transportation and Works maintains more than 9,000 kilometres of highway – Mr. Speaker, that is a longer distance than the entire Trans Canada Highway from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador to Victoria, British Columbia. Our staff maintain more road than the Trans Canada Highway spans from coast to coast, and they are committed to keeping each and every metre of our roads as safe as possible.

With 567 pieces of equipment including plow trucks, graders, loaders, snow blowers, brine tankers, and backhoes, Transportation and Works staff work to keep our roadways clear of snow and ice. In the last five years, we have invested in 101 new pieces of snow clearing equipment, which replaced older machines. And every year Mr. Speaker, we invest $65 million in our winter maintenance program. Our staff work in the most treacherous of weather, at times putting their lives on the line, to keep the public safe.

Mr. Speaker, the Snow Means Slow message is an important one given the high speeds at which drivers travel on our highways. Department of Transportation and Works road crews do their best to keep the provinces roads safe, but drivers must do their part as well by adjusting their speed to suit road and weather conditions.

Mr. Speaker, as we enter the winter season, I ask drivers to adjust their speed, and make our provinces highways safer for everyone. Remember, Snow Means Slow.

Thank you.

2012 12 13             1:45 p.m.