NSAIDD Day Statement in the House

Statement by:

The Honourable Jim Bradley

Minister of Transportation

National Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving Day

Legislature Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto

October 21, 2008

Check against delivery

Word Count: 727

• Thank you, Speaker.
• I rise in the House today to raise awareness about a very important cause and an organization that is doing some tremendous work to make our roads safer.
• As many of you know, Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America.
• And latest statistics show that Ontario’s road safety record is second only to that of the Northwest Territories.
• Even with more traffic on our roads than ever before, we have been breaking our own safety record.
• I think this shows that more and more Ontario drivers are making smarter decisions about how they drive: such as knowing to plan ahead for a safe ride home before a night on the town.
• But change like this doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes good laws, tough enforcement, and widespread public education.
• And we can’t do that work alone.
• Making our roads the safest they can be takes dedication and determination from our road safety partners in communities across the province.
• And today, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize one such organization that is making a real difference for young people in Ontario.
• Today marks the Student Life Education Company’s 10th annual National Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving Day.
• Today, thousands of Ontario students will join over 500,000 students nationwide in activities that will raise awareness about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.
• This day of action was founded in 1999 by a group of high school students who knew they had a voice and power to make our roads safer.
• Their mission is to reach out to our high-school students — our young drivers — to empower them to make smart decisions by creating educational opportunities for that are fun, informative and inspire behavioural change.
• I know that I am inspired by the actions of these young people.
• But I am also saddened to think why their efforts continue to be necessary in our province and across this country.
• The fact is, young drivers are at a greater risk of collision than anyone — than any other age group.
• For example, recent statistics show that drivers aged 19, 20 and 21 have the highest involvement rates in drinking and driving collisions.
• That is why it is extremely important that we continue to work closely with our road safety partners to find new ways to keep youth safe: such as cracking down on impaired drivers and those who endanger others by speeding excessively.
• We have also taken some proactive steps to help ensure our younger drivers get the best start possible. For example, we have raised the bar for driver training by introducing new curriculum standards for Beginner Driver Education. The new standards place a greater emphasis on the learning needs of novice drivers, such as dealing with distraction and understanding the risks of impaired driving and making responsible choices.
• These new standards will come into effect at most driving schools across the province in the spring and at all Ontario high schools next fall.
• Our road safety record shows that our approach so far is working. For example, Ontario had the lowest impaired driving offence rates in Canada in 2005 – 39% lower than the national average.
• But there is still much work to be done and we are doing it.
• We are carefully examining the entire graduated licensing system to find better ways to protect youth.
• And we are looking into new ways to tackle driver distraction in today’s complex driving environment. So far, this has involved consultation with key stakeholders, such as police services, and the careful review the latest research and best practices in other jurisdictions.
• I am extremely thankful that we are supported by a vibrant and committed network of road safety advocates, emergency services personnel and volunteers in communities across this province.
• Together, we will make a difference for youth and everyone who shares the road.
• National Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving Day takes place only once a year.
• But today I encourage each and every one of us here today to remember their message and live by it every day of the year: please drive sober and drive safely.
• Thank you.