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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.