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FOR RELEASE     #05-325
December 13, 2005

Yukon Receives National Award For Safe Highways

WHITEHORSE - Highways and Public Works Minister Glenn Hart was presented with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' 2005 Traffic Safety Award today at a ceremony in the main Government of Yukon administration building.

The award is for the greatest reduction in highway fatalities nation-wide based on Transport Canada numbers for 2003.  In 2003, the 25 per cent decrease in Yukon's fatality rate per vehicle population was the greatest reduction of all in Canada.

"This startling reduction in fatalities and this award reflects the hard work of many people, groups, organisations and associations," Hart said. "It is through the effort of many that the number of collisions on Yukon roads is reduced – but primarily, through the effort of Yukon motorists, who are asked to always drive carefully and responsibly."

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) is a non-profit educational organisation founded in 1933 to develop model programs in motor vehicle administration, police traffic services and highway safety.  AAMVA represents provincial, territorial and state governments in Canada and the United States that administer and enforce motor vehicle laws.

Hart also reminded Yukoners that to keep our highway fatality rates consistently low, everyone must remain diligent and drive safely whenever behind the wheel.

"All Yukon drivers must be responsible, safe drivers," Hart said. "Responsible drivers always wear their seat belts, reduce their speed in bad weather and poor visibility, rest when they are fatigued, and take a cab when they have consumed alcohol."

Yukon supports Transport Canada's and the Canadian Council of Motor Vehicle Administrators' road safety goal to have the safest roads in the world by 2010. 

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Contact:  
Peter Carr
Cabinet Communications Advisor
(867) 667-8688
peter.carr@gov.yk.ca
Marie-Louise Boylan
Communications Analyst, H&PW
(867) 667-3146
marie-louise.boylan@gov.yk.ca