Prince Edward Island will join other jurisdictions in marking December 1 - 7, 1998, as National Safe Driving Week, a national event which emphasizes the important role everyone must play in improving safety on the roads. The announcement was made in the Legislature today by Hon. Michael Currie, Minister of Transportation & Public Works.
This year's theme, "Impaired Driving - "Does Canada Measure Up?" will be the focus of a week-long awareness campaign to draw attention to the serious social and health problem of impaired driving.
Drinking and driving continues to be the number one cause of criminal death and injury in our society and alcohol is the greatest single factor contributing to fatal vehicle crashes on Prince Edward Island.
Legislative amendments implemented in 1997 as countermeasure initiatives - administrative license suspension, alcohol assessment and rehabilitation program, and vehicle seizure and impoundment program - were designed as deterrents to remove impaired drivers and their vehicles from our highways.
"Despite the new legislation, impaired driving continues to be a problem on Island highways. The number of impaired charges laid in the past year was up to 513 as compared to 494 during the previous year, plus 185 Administrative Driving Prohibition sanctions were laid in the first year of that program," Minister Currie said.
"I think these numbers give us a strong message that there is still a lot to be done if we are to eradicate the drinking and driving situation on the Island, " Mr. Currie said. "Staff of the Highway Safety Operations together with RCMP and municipal police forces across the Island will be active during the next week conducting roadside checks."
The Minister concluded, "Varying weather conditions at this time of year are an added concern for both pedestrians and drivers. I encourage all drivers to be particularly aware of their driving habits not only for National Safe Driving Week but every time they get behind the wheel."