OAKVILLE, ON--(Marketwired - December 29, 2015) - MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada are urging Canadians to start 2016 off right by arranging a safe and sober ride home from New Year's festivities.
"While most people are very responsible and never drive impaired, there are still some who don't fully appreciate the dangers involved in this practice," said MADD Canada National President Angeliki Souranis. "We hope those people will stop and consider the consequences. By driving impaired, they risk losing their licence, paying thousands of dollars in fines, having a Criminal Code record and, worse, injuring or killing themselves or others."
Every year between 1,250 and 1,500 are killed and 63,000 are injured in impairment-related crashes.
"We all have a role to play in preventing impaired driving and keeping each other safe," said Allstate Insurance Company of Canada President and CEO John O'Donnell. "Make a resolution to be part of the solution on our roads this New Year. Put a plan in place for a sober ride home so there's no risk of making a bad decision later."
MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada offer the following tips for New Year's revelers and for those hosting their own parties:
For party-goers:
Take a cab or public transit.
Arrange for a designated driver.
Plan to spend the night.
For party hosts:
Have lots of food and non-alcohol/low alcohol beverages available. Party hosts looking for non-alcohol beverage options to serve can consider MADD Virgin Drinks, which are available at participating supermarkets, drugstores and other retailers.
Serve drinks yourself so you can monitor how much your guests are drinking.
Don't serve alcohol to anyone who is intoxicated.
Know how your guests are getting home and who is driving.
Have numbers available for taxi companies or dial #TAXI on your mobile. You can also download #TAXI's new app The Ride to book a nearby cab and easily plan the best transit route anywhere in Canada.
Be prepared to have intoxicated guests spend the night.
Stop serving alcohol long before you expect the party to break up.
Finally, MADD Canada and Allstate Canada are encouraging motorists to be aware of other drivers and if they see any driver they suspect is impaired, call 911. One call could save a life.
About MADD Canada
MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. To learn more, visit www.madd.ca.
About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of the country's leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products, serving Canadians since 1953. The company strives to keep its customers in "Good Hands®" as well as its employees, and has been listed four years in a row on the Best Employers in Canada list. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), United Way and Junior Achievement. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca.
Source: Marketwired - All
Link: Begin Your New Year's Preparations by Planning a Sober Ride Home