Wreaths and banners have been placed at all permanent weigh scales locations across Newfoundland and Labrador in honour of victims who have been seriously injured or killed as a result of collisions on provincial roads. Today (Wednesday, November 17) marks the third observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada.

"It is a solemn honour for me to join with our partners in traffic safety, as well as friends and families of those who have been victims of traffic collisions, to remember those who have been killed or seriously injured," said the Honourable Harry Harding, Minister of Government Services.. "We also acknowledge the collective responsibility of all drivers in preventing serious injuries and deaths on our roads. These collisions are almost always preventable. Most occur because drivers are distracted, not obeying traffic safety rules, or were impaired. It is essential to recognize that unsafe driving practices can have tragic consequences."

In Canada, almost 2,800 people are killed in road crashes and another 195,000 are injured on an annual basis. Alcohol, drugs, speeding, driver distraction, fatigue and failure to buckle up are the key contributing factors to collisions, injuries and deaths on the road. In this province, the RCMP reports that 22 people have been killed and another 66 have been injured this year as a result of vehicle collisions.

This year's theme for the National Day of Remembrance is "Rethink the Way You Drive", putting the responsibility directly on drivers for making their driving habits safer. Drivers are encouraged to not speed, slow down if weather conditions are not ideal and avoid distractions such as talking on (hand-held) cell phones, texting or programming a GPS while driving. These activities are unsafe and illegal in Newfoundland and Labrador, and carry penalties of between $100 and $400 as well as the accumulation of four demerit points.