Thousands of Canadians to give-up mobile devices and the Internet for 23 hours to raise awareness of distracted driving dangers.
Still time to take the DF23 pledge.
Toronto, May 22, 2014— On May 23, 3,000 Canadians will take part in Allstate Insurance Company of Canada’s Distraction-Free 23 (DF23) movement, giving up their personal tech devices and the Internet for 23 hours to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
Despite legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions (excluding Nunavut), distracted driving is still a serious problem and fatal collisions caused by distracted drivers are at an all time high. In fact, texting behind the wheel makes you up to 23 times more likely to crash. And nearly 80 per cent of collisions are due to distracted drivers.
“DF23 is a one-day fast from your personal tech distractions, designed to help get the attention of your friends and family,” says Ryan Michel, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Allstate Canada. “In today’s society, people seem to feel the need to be connected 24-7, even when they’re driving, but if you demonstrate you can go 23 hours without your tech device, surely you, and others, can go a few minutes in the car without your device.”
Still time to take the pledge
Distraction-Free 23 kicks off at 6 p.m. on May 23 and runs until 5 p.m. on May 24. By signing the DF23 pledge, participants agree to sacrifice their personal tech devices and the Internet for 23 hours.
What can you do when you’re disconnected? Play a board game. Go for a walk. Meet-up with a friend. Go shopping. See a movie. Write a poem using a pen and paper. Enjoy some time with your family. Sit outside and look at the stars. Have a conversation.
Details about Distraction-Free 23 and other Allstate Canada distracted driving initiatives can be found at:
Website: justdrivecanada.ca
Blog: blog.justdrivecanada.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/justdrivecanada
Twitter: twitter.com/justdrivecanada
For more information or to arrange an interview with an Allstate Canada representative, please contact:
Maxine Patenaude
Thornley Fallis Communications
Office: 416-515-7517 ext. 245
Email: patenaude@thornleyfallis.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, and also recently named to Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers in Canada list. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 83 community-based Agencies, directly online at 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 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada),Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. Allstate is also working with Accident Awareness on the issue of distracted driving by offering free in-school presentations with safe driving tips in high schools across the country. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit allstate.ca, and to learn more about Just Drive, visit justdrivecanada.ca.
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