Safe driving and safe streets for all Islanders is the goal of the Leave the Phone Alone Campaign that targets distracted driving, says Transportation Minister Paula Biggar.
“This year, teenagers on the Island are taking up the safety challenge to keep their eyes on the road,” said Minister Biggar. “It is great to see Island students taking the lead in raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.”
Since 2013, the Government of Prince Edward Island has partnered with Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and Hot 105.5 FM on this annual road safety campaign aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of texting and driving.
“Nearly 80 percent of collisions involve some form of distraction, “said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “It is extremely dangerous and socially unacceptable to use a phone while driving. IBC is proud to be part of this year’s Leave the Phone Alone high school challenge.”
In the campaign's inaugural year, 4,500 Islanders took the pledge. Last year, that number grew to more than 5,000 pledges. This year, high school students gathered 2250 pledges, as part of the High School Challenge.
All Island high schools participated. Students competed to sign up as many classmates and community members as possible and Charlottetown Rural High School won the challenge, collecting 860 pledges to leave the phone alone.
“HOT 105.5 is pleased to partner with the Province of PEI and the Insurance Bureau of Canada in promoting Leave the Phone Alone, said Jennifer Evans, General Manager of Ocean 100 HOT 105.5.”This is such an important message to communicate to Islanders and our listeners in the hopes of keeping PEI roads safe,”
The "Leave the Phone Alone- Don't text and drive" campaign continues through the end of the year.