ABOUT SOPAC
SOPAC “Save our People Action Committee”
Save our People Action Committee, more commonly known as SOPAC, was officially formed on July 7th, 2009, at the initiative of Eugene Nippard of Grand Falls-Windsor in the central part of Newfoundland. Mr. Nippard was lucky to survive a moose vehicle collision and this experience motivated him to take on the need to highlight the problem and move to a solution.
Why SOPAC was Formed
Mr. Nippard was inspired to take action in the spring of 2009 after listening to local radio station VOCM. The open line discussion was all about moose vehicle accidents. Reports were in that yet another accident had been reported. This time 4 people were involved. It was well known that hundreds of people in this province have been injured or lost their lives in accidents over the years. Mr. Nippard has had 6 of his family members also involved in past accidents with one of his cousins now paralyzed and in a wheelchair. He was aware of another accident wherein a friend and three others from the central region were involved. From then Mr. Nippard took the step to do the research and move forward with a group of like-minded individuals who also needed a voice and from this came SOPAC.
How SOPAC was Formed
SOPAC was formed with the power of the people and the support of our provincial media network. It all started with a few of the key people calling the major open line programs and the word was out on the need to organize. Mr. Nippard put his name and number forward as the focal point of contact and since then his telephone line has not stopped ringing. From here the name SOPAC was born and SOPAC has mobilized to educate on the problem, educate the people and driving population and lobby our elected officials to hear what we are saying and to take action.
What SOPAC is trying to achieve?
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To become the voice of victims
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To keep awareness in the public domain on the dangers moose pose on our highways
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To ensure victims of Moose Vehicle accidents obtain the support they need, both financially and socially
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50% reduction in the moose vehicle rate within 5 years
Key ways to achieve
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With at least 125,000 moose in the province, we need to protect the driving public by erecting moose fencing with or without overpasses and underpasses.
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Remove nuisance moose by installing proper signage displaying a 24-hour emergency number to call.
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Issue more licenses without gender restrictions, and ensure these licenses are close to highways and problematic areas.
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Light up highways where possible especially major intersections.
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Continue with brush cutting along our highways, remove the brush and plant grass.
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Erect flashing lights on signs to detect animals in the area to warn the travelling public.
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Enforce a Reduced speed at night between dusk and dawn.
