Mr. Speaker, the safety of Northerners is a goal shared by Members of this Assembly and the Department of Transportation as we strive to build safe communities and a safe transportation system, in all modes, for the benefit of our residents.
Mr. Speaker, Parachute Canada is a national organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. Parachute has declared this week to be National Teen Driver Safety Week. Although young people only make up 13 percent of licenced drivers nationally, they account for 24 percent of road fatalities. Additionally, 40 percent of speeding drivers in fatal crashes are between the ages of 16 and 24. These shocking statistics have to change.
Learning to drive and earning a driver’s licence marks a key milestone in life, and new drivers across the Northwest Territories are benefiting from our graduated licensing program. New drivers are required to earn experience before receiving the privilege of a full driver’s licence. Our objective is to
ensure new drivers have experience and comfort behind the wheel, making NWT highways safer.
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators is the steward of the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, which takes place on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. We must never forget the victims of motor vehicle accidents and to continue all efforts to make our highways, winter roads and community roads as safe as possible.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation has several road safety initiatives including the new Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program that prevents drivers from starting their vehicles if their blood alcohol level is above a pre-set limit. This keeps impaired drivers away from the wheel and leads to greater safety for all road users.
Highway transport officers work closely with the RCMP to patrol all of our highways to keep drivers safe. But changing behaviour takes time and persistence. I am pleased to see partnerships with community groups and industry that remind people that we can all do more to reduce injuries and fatalities on our highways.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to publicly acknowledge the ongoing efforts of SADD, Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving. This student organization is an important partner in encouraging youth to make healthy choices that help to keep our highways safe. I offer my best wishes for success to SADD as they take part in events planned this month to encourage their peers to make positive choices.
Distracted driving is an issue the Department of Transportation takes seriously. In Canada, distracted driving contributes to more serious injuries than impaired driving and speeding. Research has shown that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to crash than a non-texting driver.
Since passing legislation in 2012 to discourage the use of hand-held electronic devices, 673 drivers have been convicted for using a hand-held electronic device while driving. We have also nearly tripled the fine for distracted driving from $115 to $322. The department will continue to impress on drivers that distracted driving is just as dangerous as impaired driving.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation holds public safety as a high priority. When it comes to road safety, the best tips are obvious: don’t drink and drive; don’t speed; don’t text and drive; and always buckle up. We can all do our part to make our roads and trails safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.