Transportation and Works
Environment and Conservation
June 15, 2015

Partnering to Encourage Safety for Families and Communities

Partnership Promotes Education and Awareness to Help Reduce Moose Vehicle Collisions

The Department of Transportation and Works and the Save Our People Action Committee (SOPAC) have entered into a partnership to raise awareness and increase public education to help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions. The partnership was announced today at an event held in St. John's by the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works and Brent Cole, Chair of SOPAC.

"Moose vehicle collisions have a devastating impact on the lives of individuals and families. Reducing the number of moose vehicle collisions is a priority of government. The members of SOPAC have made tremendous strides over the past number of years in raising public awareness and I acknowledge and thank them for their efforts. Working together through this new partnership will help achieve the ultimate and important goal of reducing the number of moose vehicle collisions in our province."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

The Department of Transportation and Works has entered into a contract with SOPAC to develop public education materials and advertising and to fund the moose alert hotline. The total value of the contract is $27,500 with Transportation and Works providing printing services, as well as new highway signage that will be installed at key points on the Trans Canada Highway.

The reduction of moose vehicle collisions on highways was a key consideration of the Five-Year Moose Management Plan, announced in April and supported by a $1.8 million investment over the next five years.

"To help mitigate moose vehicle collisions, the new management plan creates two new Moose Reduction Zones to test the feasibility of using hunters to remove near roadside moose and in doing so, measure any effect on moose vehicle collisions."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

Materials that are part of the new education and awareness partnership with SOPAC are a new information card, a wallet-sized card, and new highway signs. Each features the toll-free number 1-855-896-6673 (1-855-89-MOOSE) to encourage residents to report moose sightings and to identify moose hotspots around the province.

"I know we can't prevent every moose vehicle collision from happening, but we owe it to all victims and their families to do all that we can to mitigate the risk of future collisions. As we move forward in this new partnership between SOPAC and government, I am confident that our goals and objectives are within reach. With our collective efforts focused on reducing moose vehicle collisions, safety on our roadways is our primary concern."
- Brent Cole, Chairperson of SOPAC (Save Our People Action Committee)

The public education and awareness partnership with SOPAC complements other actions to help mitigate the incidence of moose vehicle collisions, including $2 million this year for increased brush clearing along the highway.

QUICK FACTS

• The Department of Transportation and Works and the Save Our People Action Committee (SOPAC) have entered into a partnership to raise awareness and increase public education to help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions.
• The total value of the contract is $27,500. A new information card, a wallet-sized card, and new highway signs will feature the toll-free number 1-855-896-6673 (1-855-89-MOOSE) to encourage residents to report moose sightings and to identify moose hotspots around the province.
• These materials complement other actions to help mitigate the incidence of moose vehicle collisions, including over $840,000 this year for increased brush clearing along the highway.

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca	Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca
Brent Cole SOPAC Chairperson 709-759-3998, 699-6794 bmcole1@eastlink.ca	Linda Bishop SOPAC Secretary 709-745-3265 lindabishop1@bellaliant.net

2015 06 15                              12:15 p.m.