KELOWNA — Every 6.5 minutes a British Columbian is injured in a road incident. Every day and a half someone dies. These staggering road statistics are why a ceremony in Kelowna Wednesday is so important: to raise awareness.
Dozens showed up for the second annual Day of Awareness of Road Traffic Victims at Orchard Park mall.
RCMP, fire, and ambulance officials were also there to commemorate those who have died in vehicle crashes.
Organizers say crash related injuries and death costs British Columbians 9 billion dollars a year, double the annual budget of BC’s education ministry.
“I think there’s a lack of appreciation for the magnitude of problem,” said Paul Hergott, the event organizer. “It’s important to bring attention to the tremendous carnage caused by road traffic incidents so we can motivated to make a change.”
Despite these alarming numbers, BC has seen a 21% decrease in motor vehicle fatalities in the last five years.
The province says more enforcement for impaired driving along with road upgrades are helping reduce those numbers.
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