TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario’s Tory government believes it made major improvements in the area of road safety in the province in 2000, and Transportation Minister David Turnbull made a point of listing his department’s achievements as the year drew to a close.

“The latest statistics show that Ontario has the fourth safest roads in North America and the lowest number of fatalities since 1950,” says Turnbull. “This year, Ontario invested a record $1 billion in improvements to the provincial highway network. Safety enhancements include shoulder paving, rumble strips, new median barriers, high-mast lighting and lane improvements. In the New Year, we will continue to work with our partners in communities across the province to expand on our achievements.”

Turnbull mentioned several road safety initiatives implemented last year, including:

Impounded more than 2,500 vehicles as a result of people driving with suspended licences;

New mandatory branding legislation that targets vehicle registration fraud and theft;

Hired an additional 21 inspection officers to enhance enforcement on the Hwy. 401 corridor. n