- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Most highway collisions involve animals
UPDATED: 2007-09-15 02:37:48 MST
By BILL KAUFMANN, SUN MEDIA
Sat, September 15, 2007
The latest statistics support claims by Sustainable Resource Minister Ted
Morton that most collisions on Alberta roads are caused by vehicles striking
animals, giving some fuel to a government plan promoting hunting.
The most recent statistics on motor vehicle collisions show 14,148
collisions in 2005 involved animals -- about 57% of collisions in the
province, said Jerry Bellikka, spokesman for Alberta Infrastructure and
Transportation. In that year, three people were killed and 353 injured in
those accidents, he said.
"More than half the collisions on Hwy. 63 on the way to Fort McMurray were
with animals," said Bellikka, adding most of those accidents occurred at
night.
Morton had announced Sept. 22 to be Hunting Day in the province, to promote
an activity he says is dying among the younger generation.
Hunting more deer, elk and moose, he said, would reduce highway collisions
and the prevalence of chronic wasting disease.
NDP environment critic David Eggen said he has no problem with a day
designated to honour hunting but added other issues, such as crafting an
integrated land-use framework to protect wilderness in the province with a
rapid industrial and population growth, are far more urgent.
UPDATED: 2007-09-15 02:37:48 MST
By BILL KAUFMANN, SUN MEDIA
Sat, September 15, 2007
The latest statistics support claims by Sustainable Resource Minister Ted
Morton that most collisions on Alberta roads are caused by vehicles striking
animals, giving some fuel to a government plan promoting hunting.
The most recent statistics on motor vehicle collisions show 14,148
collisions in 2005 involved animals -- about 57% of collisions in the
province, said Jerry Bellikka, spokesman for Alberta Infrastructure and
Transportation. In that year, three people were killed and 353 injured in
those accidents, he said.
"More than half the collisions on Hwy. 63 on the way to Fort McMurray were
with animals," said Bellikka, adding most of those accidents occurred at
night.
Morton had announced Sept. 22 to be Hunting Day in the province, to promote
an activity he says is dying among the younger generation.
Hunting more deer, elk and moose, he said, would reduce highway collisions
and the prevalence of chronic wasting disease.
NDP environment critic David Eggen said he has no problem with a day
designated to honour hunting but added other issues, such as crafting an
integrated land-use framework to protect wilderness in the province with a
rapid industrial and population growth, are far more urgent.
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