The RCMP in New Brunswick is urging the public to take road safety seriously following a significant increase in the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2016. In 2016, 64 people were killed on roads policed by the RCMP. It's the highest number of fatalities since 2010, when 80 were killed.
The RCMP's 2016 annual report, Working Together for a Safer New Brunswick, was released today. The report reflects the RCMP's commitment to accountability and to keep the public informed of the work being done in the communities served by the RCMP. Highlights include initiatives to prevent and solve property crime, our emphasis on connecting with communities, and as always, the work the RCMP does to help make New Brunswick roads safer.
In 2016, the RCMP in New Brunswick responded to 58 fatal collisions, which resulted in the loss of 64 lives. In 2015, the RCMP responded to 50 fatal collisions, with 51 fatalities. In 2014, RCMP responded to 41 fatal collisions, with 51 fatalities.
"Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and the RCMP is committed to reducing the number of serious and fatal collisions on our highways," says Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh, Media Relations Officer for the RCMP in New Brunswick. "We regularly conduct highway patrols and enforcement campaigns, but we can't be everywhere all the time. We ask the public to do what they can do reduce the risk of serious and fatal collisions, by always wearing a seatbelt, slowing down and never driving while distracted or impaired."
The report is available on the RCMP website at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/rcmp-new-brunswick-annual-report-2016