Desjardins Insurance is supporting a teen driver safety campaign that kicks off next week.
The National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) will run from October 16 to 22, aimed at educating young drivers about road safety. Organized by national charity Parachute, the campaign has support from Desjardins as well as the transportation and logistics firm CN.
During the week, teens, parents, and influencers will be participating in virtual NTDSW promotions and activities across Canada. The campaign will raise awareness about the risks of distracted, drunk, drug-impaired, and aggressive driving. It will also educate teens on rail safety and the dangers of speeding.
"In fatal crashes, drivers aged 20 to 25 were more likely to be distracted than all other age groups, followed by drivers aged 16 to 19," said Parachute president and CEO Pamela Fuselli. "NTDSW wants to help put a stop to these preventable deaths by bringing awareness to the serious issue of distracted driving among teens and young adults."
"Distracted driving remains of great concern and, for the second year in a row, it is perceived as the biggest risk factor for drivers," said Desjardins general insurance group president and chief president officer Valérie Lavoie. "Whether it is looking at your phone, eating or drinking or changing the console settings, we need to turn our complete focus to the task at hand; drive and cut out the distractions to keep ourselves and others safer on the roads."
"I encourage you to take the time to remind your communities, loved ones and neighbours about the critical importance of being safe around rail property. By doing so, you could help save a life," added CN chief of police and chief security officer Stephen Covey.
Parachute also announced that in-person events will return for this year’s NTDSW at schools and communities. The preventable injuries charity will provide materials and an event guide for the Positive Ticketing Contest – a contest which rewards positive driving among teen drivers.
