Ottawa,, ON (Nov. 18, 2015) – Wednesday, November 18 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 1,900 people are killed on road crashes and almost another 165,000 are injured.(1) On average, five people die on Canada’s roads each day.
Drug-impaired driving now rivals alcohol-impaired driving. Distracted driving is also a growing safety concern; Canada’s youth are the demographic most likely to text while driving.
These high risk factors can contribute to collisions and are all preventable:
- Driving impaired: Alcohol, drugs;
- Speeding and/or aggressive driving;
- Driver distraction (texting, cell phone use) and/or fatigue;
- Failure to wear a seat belt.
Road crashes impact everyone. Victims, families and friends suffer the losses first hand, but so do entire communities. On this day, communities across Canada are joining with their citizens, road safety stakeholders, enforcement officials and support groups in remembering those lost, and to recognize that ‘safe driving saves lives.’
For more on the day, visit rememberroadcrashvictims.ca.
1. Source: Transport Canada statistics, 2012. DISCLAIMER: The number of yearly fatalities on Canada’s roads and highways fluctuates from year to year. It is based on approximately 2,100 fatalities and 165,000 injuries in 2012.
About The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators
The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) is an incorporated non-profit organization in Canada that coordinates all matters dealing with the administration, regulation and control of motor vehicle transportation and highway safety. Membership includes representation from provincial and territorial governments as well as the federal government of Canada.
SOURCE: The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators