Police urge caution after spike in fatal car crashes in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
There has been an alarming trend in recent weeks with a spike in fatalities and injuries from car crashes, both on major highways and secondary roads.
Now, safety advocates and the RCMP are urging caution with the winter season fast approaching.
“This does tend to happen every year, especially when the weather changes,” said RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall.
In Nova Scotia, over the past two-plus weeks, four people died in car crashes while several drivers and passengers suffered life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries.
Marshall said drivers often do not adjust their speed relative to the conditions around them.
“December is typically the start of the staff party and Christmas season,” said Marshall, who added the causes of recent collisions are still under investigation.
For drivers on non-twinned highways, he said it’s crucial to drive with extra caution.
“Ensure that the traffic that’s coming in the opposite direction, and make sure you know what they are doing, in case someone inadvertently crosses the centre line,” said Marshall.
It’s not just in Nova Scotia either.
In New Brunswick on Nov. 17, a 77-year-old woman died in a single-vehicle collision on Highway 2 in Siegas.
On Nov. 25, on Highway 11 in Beresford, a 37 year old woman and a 53-year-old man were killed in a three-vehicle collision.
On Nov. 27, on Big Cove Road in Elsibogtog, a 35-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash.
On Dec. 1, on Route 111 in Jeffries Corner, a 33-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash.
On Saturday, in Pokemouche on Route 11, a 73-year-old woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash. A 69-year-old woman who was in the same crash later died in hospital.
Highway safety advocate Bruce Hetherington said, sadly, he’s not surprised.
“No I’m not,” said Hetherington. “Cars are going too fast, and people are not being cautious.”
Hetherington’s son was killed in a collision in 2008. Since then, he has called for the twinning of highways in Nova Scotia.
However, according to Hetherington, these recent collisions should serve as a cautionary wake-up call. Having twinned highways is only part of the solution.
“If you don’t slow down and take caution, there are going to be other accidents,” said Hetherington, who fears even more injuries and deaths on Maritime roads and highways will occur in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.