NLIS 4
December 5, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
Snow Means Slow
campaign launched
As part of National Safe Driving
Week, Transportation Minister Trevor Taylor today kicked off the
beginning of the province�s annual Snow Means Slow campaign to
remind motorists of the dangers of winter driving and to adjust
their driving habits accordingly.
The Snow Means Slow campaign includes newspaper advertising and
television and radio spots. The messages contained in the campaign
are designed to remind people to slow down and to be aware that road
conditions can change quickly.
�We do our best to assess road and weather conditions and to make
our roads as safe as possible,� Minister Taylor said. �At the same
time, people must be aware that winter road conditions can
deteriorate faster than our crews can possibly respond. A sudden
drop in temperature can result in black ice and we must all be
vigilant and do whatever we can to reduce the risk of an accident or
injury. This includes slowing down, equipping your vehicle with
appropriate tires for the season and wearing a seatbelt.�
The campaign will run throughout December and into the New Year. The
spots include contact information for road conditions and they
encourage people to call ahead for continuous road and weather
updates, or visit the government Web site at
//www.gov.nl.ca/wst for
live camera pictures of the highways in their area.
During winter, the professional highway personnel at the Department
of Transportation and Works are constantly on the road, assessing
conditions, clearing snow and spreading salt and sand. Motorists
need to remember that the safest place to be is behind a snow plow,
even if it means being a few minutes late for your destination.
�We believe that reminding motorists to be careful and to not take
any unnecessary risks when heading out over winter roads will assist
them in adjusting their driving habits and making wise decisions,�
Minister Taylor said. �We all need a reminder sometimes to slow down
to ensure that we, and our families, arrive safely. At the end of
the day, that is really all that matters.�
Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3015,
691-3577
2005 12 05
10:10 a.m. |