The following statement was read today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL:

Speaker, today in this Honourable House I am recognizing World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

This annual event honours the memory of the millions of people who tragically and senselessly lost their lives as the result of motor vehicle accidents.

This sombre day also recognizes the families and friends whose lives have been forever changed.

Speaker, World Day of Remembrance, which is recognized on Sunday, November 21, also coincides with the start of the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in September 2020 that ambitiously aims to prevent at least 50 per cent of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. The plan to achieve this goal was released last month and is available on the World Health Organization’s website.

Newfoundland and Labrador is constantly making improvements to strengthen the Highway Traffic Act, and will remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Speaker, we recently made amendments to the Off-Road Vehicles legislation to improve safety for all off-road vehicle users. These changes also align with government’s ongoing commitment to improve vehicle safety.

Together, with law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders, we will continue to bring the importance of road safety to the forefront so that others do not have to share the same pain and loss.

I invite all members of this Honourable House to join me on Friday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. in the East Block of Confederation Building as we honour road crash victims.

Thank you.