In Canada, one person dies every three hours on the road, this is why the National Remembrance Day for Road Crash Victims serves an important role in commemorating those lives lost. In response to this fact, the event organizers have created a new initiative: Leave the Phone Alone.
Our YOURS representative in Canada, Ms Jennifer Heatley who is also the Chair of The Canadian Road Safety Youth Committee shared with us an incredible new initiative that focuses on online participation to garner ‘pledges’ in combat to a rising health risk in Canada; driving while distracted.
The new campaign entitled, ‘Leave the Phone Alone, while Driving’, takes place alongside the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims on the 17th November 2010. With startling facts: ‘A recent study found that drivers who text while driving have a crash rate 23 times higher than when than when not texting’, a strong focus is being placed on reducing this occurence amongst drivers.
The issue is also backed by legislation where over 90% of Canada’s drivers are affected by ‘distraction legislation’ that bans the use of the mobile phone whilst driving.
The Campaign
Leave the Phone Alone is an interactive campaign that gives drivers the opportunity to pledge to ‘leave the phone alone’. Already, over 190 people have pledged to do this and you can too. If you live in Canada, log onto the website and take the pledge online. One pledge does not only have the potential of saving one life, but many lives; we know that the affects of a road crash can destroy several lives simultaneously.
Log on to: Leave the Phone Alone and take the pledge.