Drive Safely During Highway Clean-up Campaign

The province is urging Nova Scotians to drive with care this spring as hundreds of volunteers work along highways during the 2012 Adopt-A-Highway program.

The province co-ordinates the efforts of volunteers who pick up litter alongside roadways. Last year, 2,000 volunteers cleaned along 897 kilometres of highways and seven interchanges. They gathered 4,866 bags of garbage and recyclable material.

"The official Adopt-A-Highway Day isn't until Friday, May 4, but, with the good weather, volunteers are already out there making Nova Scotia look better," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks. "Please slow down and be extra cautious when travelling through clean-up zones."

"In a perfect world people wouldn't throw litter on the highways, but nobody's perfect and this job needs to be done," said Gina Bain, co-ordinator, Adopt-A-Highway program. "Our volunteers are out there doing work that benefits all Nova Scotians and we want to make sure they're safe."

Volunteers wear fluorescent safety vests, but they may be close to the road when picking up litter. Volunteers range from one person to service groups to families to co-workers.

Adopt-A-Highway is an international roadside litter clean-up program. More information is available at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/wi/projects/adopt.shtml .