Holiday Driving Safety Message Launched

Five people were killed during the holiday season last year due to alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. A billboard campaign launched today will remind people to stay sober behind the wheel and not become a grim statistic this holiday.

Justice Minister Jim Smith was joined in launching the campaign by Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Keith Colwell, Minister of Business and Consumer Services, Joseph Orichefsky of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and RCMP Assistant Commissioner Dwight Bishop.

"The holidays are a time for celebration, not sadness," said Dr. Smith. "As the statistics prove, drinking and driving is a deadly combination. If you want to protect yourself, and those you love, don't do it."

Joseph Orichefsky, vice-president of the Halifax regional chapter of MADD, added support to the billboard campaign: "Every injury and death caused by drunk driving is preventable. MADD's aim is to develop awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. We're pleased to support this campaign, which brings public attention to keeping people safe over the holidays and all year round."

The billboards are an initiative of the Nova Scotia Road Safety Advisory Committee. The committee, a partnership between government and the private sector, is made up of members from the departments of Justice, Transportation and Public Works and Business and Consumer Services, as well members from the Nova Scotia Safety Council, the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, the RCMP, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Utilities Review Board and a psychology professor from Mount Saint Vincent University.

The committee is responsible for developing and evaluating programs designed to improve road safety relating to drivers, pedestrians, vehicles and the infrastructure of the province.

The billboards will be in Halifax and Sydney. Space has been donated by Pattison Outdoor and Mediacom Inc.

"The billboards reinforce our government's message that we do not tolerate drunk drivers in Nova Scotia," said Dr. Smith. "We recently welcomed new tougher legislation on drinking and driving. With the legislation and initiatives such as this, we will continue to make our roads safer for Nova Scotians."

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos from the campaign launch will be available after 5 p.m. today at the Communications Nova Scotia website: www.gov.ns.ca/cmns/files/drinkdrive/colour.jpg , for colour,
www.gov.ns.ca/cmns/files/drinkdrive/bw.jpg , for black and white.