Highway Safety

The hidden date for this stamp can be found to the right of the sign indicating a pedestrian walkway.

The Post Office Department of Canada issues this 5¢ Highway Safety Stamp as a contribution to the cause of safety on the nation's roads. Coinciding with the day of issue, 2nd May 1966, delegates to the Canadian Highway Safety Council will meet in Calgary, Alberta, for the Council's 12th Annual Conference, devoting their talents to a cause which should be everyone's concern. Two years ago, traffic accidents killed, injured or caused property damage throughout the year at a pace of one mishap every one and a half minutes. These accidents resulted in fatal injuries every two hours and caused bodily injury every four minutes for the full twelve-month period. Founded in 1955, the C.H.S.C. has statistics showing three out of four traffic deaths occur within twenty-five miles of the victim's home, moreover, half of the injury or death dealing accidents occur at 40 miles per hour, or less, thereby pointing up the need to install and use seat belts even for short drives. The council stresses the need for an equal awareness of the dangers by drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Canada's first Highway Safety Stamp, one of a few devoted to this subject in the world, has been selected as a vehicle for another first in the country's philatelic issues. Replacing the familiar visible gum is an improved adhesive, tasteless, and virtually invisible to the casual observer. It has proved to have superior adhesive qualities during the several years it has been used in North America on various labels and stickers. Manufactured under the trade name of "DAVAC", the new adhesive does not react to the humidity factor in the air as do other glues.