Local Program Wins Provincial Award

The 1999 Ontario Road Safety Challenge was held from May 30-June 6. The Challenge was sponsored by the Ministry of Transportation, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Insurance Brokers of Ontario, and Young Drivers of Canada. North Grenville, Smith Falls and Brockville were three of 34 communities that competed for the safest roadways in Ontario.

Communities were encouraged to plan events that would increase public awareness of road safety practices. In addition, the communities were challenged with a Community Action Award for demonstrating innovative approaches related to a specified road safety theme. North Grenville developed the "White Tail Alert" campaign. This initiative was based on local Ontario Provincial Police reports indicating the white tail deer as a major contributing factor of road collisions. According to the Ministry of Transportation, North Grenville was 40 times higher than the provincial average for vehicle/wildlife collisions.

A Public Health Nurse from the Health Unit and co-chair of the Road Safety Challenge, submitted the award entry. Consequently, the White Tail Alert campaign was selected as one of the winning entries for the Community Action Award. North Grenville received $500 from the Ministry of Transportation. These funds will be used towards road safety initiatives for the year 2000 Road Safety Challenge from April 30 - May 7.