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Media Releases 2008
IBC’s D.U.M.B. Struck Tour kicks off in Edmonton - Alberta students set to persuade distracted drivers to change their waysEDMONTON: Canada’s home, car and business insurers today launched the Alberta D.U.M.B Struck Tour at Winston Churchill Square to drive home an important message – driver distractions are a factor in 8 out of 10 car crashes in North America. The award-winning program developed by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), features the D.U.M.B. Car (Distractions Undermining Motorist Behaviour), a simulator that tests driver reaction to distractions such as cellphones, CDs, iPods, and eating and drinking -- even personal grooming. “I am particularly pleased to introduce the D.U.M.B. Struck Tour to Alberta today, during National Road Safety Week,” said Jim Rivait, Vice-President, Alberta and The North, IBC. “It is also timely to bring our public education program to Alberta following the government’s announcement in support of education, rather than legislation, to convince Albertans that driving while distracted is dangerous and socially unacceptable behaviour,” he added. “With all of the things that can distract our attention, it is more important than ever for drivers to pay attention behind the wheel and focus on safe driving.” said Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette. “If everyone paid more attention to their driving we’d all be a lot safer on Alberta’s roads”. As part of its education program, IBC has trained a team of University of Alberta students to act as youth ambassadors this summer, travelling with a 32-foot trailer carrying the D.U.M.B. Car and other safety displays. Over the coming months, the students will deliver safety messages to thousands of Albertans at community fairs, festivals and events. “One of the first stops on the tour is Traffic Safety Day at Sherwood Park on Saturday, June 7. In addition to the D.U.M.B. Car, there will be entertainment for the kids, prizes to be won, and of course, lots of useful tips on how to be a safer driver,” said Rivait. Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C industry employs over 104,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal and provincial governments, and has a total premium base of $35 billion. - 30 - For more information, please contact: |
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