Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, everyone can think of at least one person who has been seriously injured or even killed in a motor vehicle accident, or maybe as individuals, we have experienced such a traumatic incident first hand. I know I have. The recent fatality in a car crash on the Ingraham Trail is a stark reminder of the consequences of dangerous driving. My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of the individual who passed, those who were injured, and all those otherwise affected by this tragic accident.
This accident, and recent stats on increased drinking and driving, highlight the ongoing need to emphasize road safety and public education. The government has a Road Safety Plan and a Drive Alive program, encouraging drivers to take responsibility for their own safe driving, awareness of road conditions, and so on, but the Ingraham Trail is a far busier road than it used to be, with many more residents living there, tourists, and truck traffic, more than ever before. Last ice road season alone, there were seven truck rollovers and three cab fires.
Mr. Speaker, the department is to be commended for the improved road conditions on the trail, the Twitter updates, and mobile signs reminding people to drive safely, but ongoing steps to support road safety are also necessary. Re-engineering certain corners and the addition of guardrails would go a long way to improving safety and making Highway No. 4 more accessible to all users. If you have driven the trail in any season, you have likely encountered people driving too fast to stay in their lane, heavy equipment, B trains and other large vehicles, and people towing snowmobile trailers, campers, and boats, all in variable driving conditions. Passing can be extremely hazardous and is only possible in a few sections.
Regular patrolling and check stops beyond Yellowknife city limits would help control drivers' speed on the trail, and would go a long way in discouraging people to drive while under the influence. On our part, capital investment is needed to promote safe driving on the Ingraham Trail and, frankly, in all our roadways, but efforts to prevent drinking and driving cannot be overemphasized. Many more motor vehicle accidents can be avoided through an optimal combination of good driving practices and infrastructure that supports safe highway transportation. I want to see this government supporting both. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.