Irving Oil Proud To Support Madd Canada's 'campaign 911'
MADD Canada’s National Road Safety Campaign Launches in Saint John
SAINT JOHN, NB — One call could save a life. That is the message MADD Canada hopes Canadians remember as it kicks off its annual Campaign 911 program to encourage people to call police if they see a driver they suspect is impaired.
Campaign 911 is being launched today at Saint John Police Headquarters by Saint John Police Chief William Reid, City Councillor Donna Reardon, Staff Sergeant Steve Gourdeau of the RCMP J Division, District NCO, Southeast Division, and representatives from program sponsors Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and Irving Oil.
“This is a critical way the public can help police get dangerous drivers off the roads before they cause crashes which kill or injure people,” said Chief Reid. “The Call 911 message has been well received in our community. About 40-50% of impaired drivers are caught thanks to calls from concerned citizens.” On average, 4 Canadians are killed and 175 are injured every day as a result of impaired driving. Effective Call 911 programs have been shown to increase arrest rates in impaired driving cases by an average of 30%.
“These programs encourage the public to play a crucial role in road safety by reporting suspected impaired drivers,” said MADD Canada National President Denise Dubyk. “They also send a strong message to those who choose to drive impaired; it is not only the police who are looking for you – other motorists are watching and have the power to report you.”
Across the country, MADD Canada Chapters and Community Leaders will join their local police and other partners to promote Campaign 911. Through signs, billboards, public service announcements and other materials, the partners inform the public about road safety, the possible signs of an impaired driver and tips on what to do if you spot one.
“In our business, we see the impact of impaired driving all too regularly,” said Allstate Insurance Company of Canada President and Chief Executive Officer John O’Donnell. “We are proud to help MADD Canada bring this program to communities across the country. With information on the signs of impairment, and tips on what information to provide to police, Campaign 911 makes it possible for everyone to play a part in making our roads and communities more safe.”
Also attending today’s launch were representatives from Irving Oil. The company has embraced the Campaign 911 message and has incorporated it into its safety training for its fleet drivers who cover between 4 to 5 million miles every year through Atlantic Canada and New England.
“Every day, our fleet drivers are out on the road,” said Johnny Grant, Senior Manager for Sales and Operations. “So road safety is more than a priority, it’s a value we live by. We are proud to join Campaign 911 and we are committed to ensuring our drivers have the information and training they need to help police take impaired drivers off the roads.”
Campaign 911 program runs all year round but MADD Canada hosts an annual launch in the late spring and promotes it heavily throughout the spring and summer months as road trips, cottage getaways and vacations have more people on the roads. The 2013 program is being sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, Irving Oil and Maritime Freight Lines Ltd.
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. For more information, visit www.madd.ca
About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. "The Good Hands Network®" enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 83 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as MADD Canada, Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada was named as a Best Employer in Canada, by Aon Hewitt for 2013. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca
About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a privately owned regional energy and marketing company that provides Eastern Canada and New England with high-quality products and customer service. Founded in 1924 and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Irving Oil maintains a strong tradition of committed community service and partnerships through programs in healthcare, the environment, education and sports. For more information about Irving Oil and its community programs, please visit us at https://www.irvingsoil.com/ or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/irvingoil and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Theirvingdotcom.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Denise Dubyk
MADD Canada National President
403-970-8733
Kevin Wilson
Senior Communications Specialist
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
905-475-2675
Sam Robinson
Public Affairs
Irving Oil
506-650-4947