News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Child Seats Save Lives: Report
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There were no fatalities among the 462 children involved in
traffic accidents last year who were secured in a child
restraint, Don Downe, Minister of Transportation and Public
Works, noted today in officially releasing the department's 1996
Traffic Safety Report
"Statistics show that in an accident a child seated in a child
restraint has a better chance of surviving a crash and being
protected from injury," said Mr. Downe. "People must realize the
importance of using proper child restraints --they save young
lives."
The 1996 Traffic Safety Report shows that of the 462 children who
were placed in a child restraint, 415 were not injured, and
another 46 experienced minor injury requiring no treatment.
The annual report also outlines the number of fatalities and
fatal accidents, lists factors that contribute to accidents,
accident demographics, environmental information and details
about accidents such as car direction, location of car damage and
car year, as reported through the Registry of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Business and Consumer Services.
Other statistics in the 1996 report:
-there was a slight increase in the number of fatalities: 113
people died on Nova Scotia's roads in 1996, up from 107 in 1995.
There has been a steady decline in fatalities since 1975 when
there were 242. So far in 1997, there have been 75 fatalities, or
a 30 per cent reduction.
-13,988 accidents were reported in 1996, down from 15,651 in
1995.
-there were 408,068 licensed Nova Scotia drivers in 1996.
-Halifax County had the most accidents with 6,447; Guysborough
County had the fewest with 86.
-speed was a factor in 1996 when 13 drivers were involved in
fatal accidents, up slightly from 11 in 1995.
-Friday continues to be the day when the majority of roadway
accidents take place, while most fatalities occur on Saturday.
The least number of accidents occur on Sunday.
-most accidents continue to occur during the late afternoon, from
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
-November is the month with the highest number of accidents with
1,341, while April has the lowest with 909.
-the vast majority of accidents occurred on clear days and on a
dry, paved surface. Of the 99 fatal accidents, 98 occurred on
roads considered in good condition (as noted by police reports)
and one on a road with holes or ruts or bumps.
-males accounted for 64 per cent of drivers involved in accidents
in 1996.
-those most at risk of being involved, injured or killed in a
motor vehicle accident are in the 25-34 age range.
-alcohol-related accidents continue to steadily decline. In 1996,
25 fatal accidents involved the use of alcohol, down from 35 in
1995.
"We remind people to drive safely this holiday season and be
prepared for all winter weather conditions," said Mr. Downe.
The 1996 Annual Traffic Safety Report is available at the
Government Bookstore, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, 902-424-7580
or 1-800-526-6575.
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Contact: Natalie Webster
Transportation and Public Works
902-424-8687
E-mail: webstena@gov.ns.ca
ngr Dec. 15, 1997 1:35 p.m.
