In recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, and to honour the memory of those lost on our roads, the Province is committing to reducing preventable deaths on B.C.'s roads and becoming the safest jurisdiction in North America by 2020.

To date, British Columbia has had much success, with a 21-per-cent reduction in the number of motor vehicle fatalities over the past five years - from 354 in 2008 to 281 in 2012. However, as this year's national theme clearly states, "Victims and their families are not the only ones impacted by road crashes. Entire communities suffer the loss".

To continue this good progress, a number of key road-safety initiatives are already underway. These include ICBC's programs to educate drivers on how they can help prevent crashes from happening, the Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program which targets specific dangerous-driving behaviours, and continued focus on the success of the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program and the 143 lives saved since the program was introduced three years ago.

In addition, as road safety is increasingly viewed as a leading public-health problem that can be effectively managed with the right tools and focus, the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) has led the development of the B.C. Road Safety Strategy 2015, a framework to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"Road traffic fatalities and serious injuries leave behind shattered families and mourning communities, and can have a profound impact on first responders. Today we honour those we have lost on our roads and focus on this preventable and fundamental public-safety issue. It is imperative that we all do our part to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads as we work to make B.C.'s roads the safest in North America by 2020."

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"B.C. has an expansive highway system that connects families across every region, and ensuring these highways are as safe as possible is essential. That's why the B.C. government and its partners have invested $11.8 billion since 2001 to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of highways across the province. We remain committed to working with ICBC, police and other road-safety partners to reduce fatalities and injuries on our roads."

Vancouver fire chief John McKearney -

"There is nothing worse for a first responder than to be called out to a motor-vehicle crash where it is necessary to use the jaws of life. Today, and every day, we can continue to honour victims of road crashes by asking drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to be sober, responsible and aware when out on the roads."

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe -

"Too often, coroners across B.C. are called to devastating scenes involving road crash victims. The impact of these deaths on families and communities is lasting and tragic. The most meaningful way to honour those who have been lost is to take care on the roads by wearing a seatbelt, abiding by speed limits, and being vigilant about your surroundings."

Quick Facts:

• The top three contributing factors to motor vehicle fatalities are impairment due to alcohol and drugs, speed, and distracted driving.
• The OSMV collaborated with over 30 road safety partners, including stakeholder groups, government departments, enforcement agencies, municipalities, researchers and the health sector on the Road Safety Strategy.
• The Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims began 20 years ago in the United Kingdom, and was adopted globally to honour the over one million people who die in crashes worldwide annually.
• The Southern Interior region accounts for the highest number of fatal crashes in B.C., with a five-year average of 111 fatalities per year.
• The average age of road crash victims is increasing in B.C. The proportion of fatal victims aged 46 to 75 increased from 31 per cent in 2002 to 38 per cent in 2011.
• The proportion of younger fatal victims aged 16 to 45 years old decreased from 54 per cent in 2002 to 44 per cent in 2011.

Learn More:

To learn more about the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims visit: http://www.ccmta.ca/remember_souvenez-vous/home.php

B.C. Road Safety Strategy 2015, including a list of the OSMV's road safety partners: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/shareddocs/RoadSafetyStrategy.pdf

B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Fatality Statistics for 2008 to 2012: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/shareddocs/MV-Fatal-Victims2008-2012.pdf

Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2015: http://www.tac-atc.ca/english/annualconference/tac2012/docs/session5/keith.pdf

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602