The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Service NL:

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in this Honourable House to observe National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.

Annually, more than 2,300 people are senselessly killed in road crashes in Canada and more than 160,000 are injured.

Mr. Speaker, within seconds lives can change forever because of a crash on our roadways. It also only takes a moment to make the decision to drive safely.

We can save lives by eliminating distractions, driving defensively and never driving impaired. We each have a responsibility to consider ways in which we can be safer and more responsible drivers.

Mr. Speaker, we regularly revise the Highway Traffic Act to improve road safety in the province. In fact, just this morning we proposed changes to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and taxi drivers and to adopt accessible parking signage standards.

I commend our Highway Enforcement Officers, the RCMP and RNC for the valuable work they do to raise awareness and enforce the Act. I also thank safety advocates, as well as victims’ families, who provide valuable input as we continually seek ways to make our roads and highways safer. It was an honour for me to meet many of them just a short while ago for a remembrance ceremony here in the lobby of East Block.

Today, I encourage all members to please take a moment to reflect upon the tragedy faced by victims and their families, and help raise awareness of the importance of safe, defensive driving.

Thank you.