High-school students across the province are learning about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving through MADD Canada’s School Assembly Program and the continued support of the PEI Liquor Control Commission.
MADD Canada continues to seek a reduction in the number of young people being killed and injured as the result of impaired driving through its presentations during the 2015-16 school year. A powerful short video – 24 HOURS – depicts the tragic consequences resulting from teenagers not asking the right questions prior to accepting a drive home from a “Bush Party”.
The video takes place in another part of the country, but the scenario is sadly relevant to people across Canada. It concludes with victims sharing their very personal and devastating stories with the audience.
“The PEI Liquor Control Commission is pleased to continue its support of MADD Canada and its work on impaired driving prevention in Prince Edward Island,” said the Hon. Allen Roach, minister responsible for the PEI Liquor Control Commission. “Nine Island high schools have benefitted from the PEILCC’s sponsorship during this past week.”
Young drivers are at particularly high risk with road crashes representing the number one cause of teen death in Canada. Unfortunately, alcohol and/or drugs are factors in approximately 55% of those crashes.
“Reaching out to students and youth is crucial to our mission to stop impaired driving, because those age groups are at such increased risk,” said MADD Canada National President Angeliki Souranis “Through 24 HOURS, we hope to educate students and give them the facts and tools they need to make safe choices”.
The School Assembly Program is one of MADD Canada’s largest and farthest-reaching programs. 24 HOURS is expected to reach more than one million students across the country by the end of the 2015-2016 school year.
“MADD Canada is proud to continue its partnership with the PEI Liquor Control Commission to deliver this important program,” Ms. Souranis said. “Thanks to their generous support, we can reach out to students in PEI to emphasize the risks of impaired driving and encourage safe and sober driving habits.”