TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Wednesday, November 19 is the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada. Since 2007, the third Wednesday of November has been set aside for Canadians to remember those who have lost their lives or been seriously injured on Canadian roads. Each year in this country, almost 2,100 people are killed in road crashes, and almost another 165,000 are injured.
"Ontario's roads are among the safest in North America, and there is more we can do to improve road safety. It's one reason why we've recently introduced legislation that includes important measures that if passed, will help reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads," says Steven Del Duca, Ontario's Minister of Transportation.
Facts:
"Despite everything we know, road crashes are still seen as unfortunate 'accidents', instead of preventable collisions," says Vern Janz, Chair of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. "As the official organizer of this annual campaign, CCMTA is proud to join our partners, enforcement, safety and emergency response officials and our jurisdictions in raising awareness about safe driving behaviours, and the key actions to avoid behind the wheel."
Road crashes impact everyone. Victims, families and friends suffer the losses first hand, but so do entire communities.
"Our son Josh was doing what too many people do, and he lost his life because of it," says Nigel Field, Co-Founder of the Josh Field Support Network, named to honour his son. Josh Field was 17 when he lost control of his car and was killed as a result of a distracted driving incident. The Fields have been advocates of safe-driving ever since, educating youth and sharing their son's story.
On this day, communities across Canada are encouraged to join with their citizens, road safety stakeholders, enforcement officials and support groups in remembering those lost, and to recognize that 'safe driving saves lives.'
Partners in the National Day of Remembrance include MADD Canada, Arrive Alive!, the Josh Field Support Network, Parachute and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
For more information, to post tributes for those killed or injured in road accidents, or to access tool kit featuring downloadable decals, safe driving tips, statistics, an interactive pledge form, a tribute section and other activities in support of the day, visit rememberroadcrashvictims.ca.
The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA)
The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (ccmta.ca) is a national forum representing members from all provincial and territorial governments as well as the federal government of Canada. It is custodian of Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2015, Canada's plan to improve road safety on our roads. CCMTA coordinates matters dealing with the administration, regulation and control of motor vehicle transportation and highway safety and reports to the Council of Deputy Ministers of Transportation and Highway Safety.
Image with caption: "Ned Levitt, wife Cheryl, daughter Jacqueline and granddaughter Hannah Stacey sign their names to a banner honouring those killed and injured on Canada’s roads at a public ceremony held in Toronto to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. (CNW Group/CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MOTOR TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATORS)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141119_C1357_PHOTO_EN_8262.jpg
SOURCE: CANADIAN COUNCIL OF MOTOR TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATORS
Eileen Melnick McCarthy, Director, Communications, Canadian Council for Motor Transport Administrators, 613-736-1003 x 260, [email protected]; #rememberroadvictims, Facebook.com/rememberroadcrashvictims
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