May 16 - 22, 2005 will mark Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.

This special week is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.

Educating the public in safe driving practices is a priority. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and inattention at intersections.

All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate.

This week has been strategically chosen, as it is the first "summer" long weekend. More people are traveling and traffic collisions are more frequent.

Road Safety Week is an opportunity to remind drivers and passengers across Canada to consciously consider safety whenever they get behind the wheel.

• Don't drink and drive. Ever.
• Use seat belts and child restraints every time you travel in a car, no matter how short the trip.
• Pay attention at all times, and be even more cautious at intersections.
• These issues are important every day of the year; not just during this special week.

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by Transport Canada and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and is part of Road Safety Vision 2010, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2010.