Transportation and Works
December 5, 2013

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

Annual Snow Means Slow Campaign Launched to Promote Road Safety

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to announce the annual launch of our Snow Means Slow winter road safety awareness campaign.

The vision of the Department of Transportation and Works is of a safe, reliable and sustainable transportation and public works infrastructure that supports the social and economic needs of the province. This campaign supports that vision by bringing safety to the forefront.

Mr. Speaker, with the increasingly volatile weather that we experience, it’s more important than ever to make safe driving practices a priority. The Snow Means Slow campaign is designed to remind drivers to do their part by adjusting their speed to suit road and weather conditions.

The Department of Transportation and Works takes pride in providing a reliable road clearing service for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our winter maintenance program represents an annual investment of $65 million, providing for the operation of 557 pieces of equipment including plow trucks, graders, loaders, snow blowers, brine tankers, and backhoes.

Mr. Speaker, we began our winter maintenance service on December 1 and our crews will remain dedicated to provincial snow clearing and ice control on more than 9,800 kilometres of primary and secondary highways and community access roads. Our staff is committed to working around the clock, often in treacherous and dangerous conditions, to help keep the travelling public safe.

The Snow Means Slow message is a very serious and important one. Our advertising campaign is now running on television, radio and newspapers province-wide to encourage all motorists to plan ahead, check forecasts and adjust their speed according to the current road conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Honourable Members to keep safety a priority at all times and remember, Snow Means Slow.

2013 12 05                              2:10 p.m.