Media Releases 2008
May 27, 2008
Road safety and survival messages highlight
2008 Be Smart. Be Safe. Tour
Injury Free Nova Scotia receives $30,000 donation from IBC
HALIFAX, NS - The truck and 22-foot trailer have been tuned up and polished.
The D.U.M.B. Car is revving up for another busy summer. The team of four
student ambassadors has graduated from injury prevention boot camp and
is ready to hit the road to deliver important safety messages to communities
across Nova Scotia.
Canada’s home, car and business insurers today kicked off its award-winning
community outreach program to help Nova Scotians lead safer lives. In
its third consecutive year, the 2008 Be Smart. Be Safe. Tour will feature
strategies for preparing for natural disasters; home safety tips; and
a crash course on how to avoid driver distractions.
“Again this year, the D.U.M.B. Car (Distractions Undermining Motorist
Behaviour) will be an important feature of the tour because distracted
driving is still one of the most serious road safety issues in Canada
today,” said Mark Yakabuski, President and CEO, Insurance Bureau
of Canada.
IBC developed the D.U.M.B. Car simulator to persuade distracted drivers
to change their ways. It tests driver reactions to common distractions
such as cellphones, CDs, MP3 players – even eating and drinking.
“We are very pleased to partner with the Insurance Bureau of Canada
to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving,” said Murray
Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. “We
have implemented several new initiatives to improve road safety including
a ban on hand-held cell phone use and text messaging while driving.”
New to the tour this year is a component to address the growing threat
of natural disasters in the face of climate change. When disaster strikes,
it often takes first responders and emergency workers some time to reach
everyone who needs help.
“This means that each of us should be prepared to survive for the
first 72 hours following a natural disaster,” said Yakabuski. “This
summer, we are going to raise awareness of the need to be prepared and
also show people what they should have in their own emergency kits to
ensure their safety and the safety of their families.”
A team of Nova Scotia university students will act as ambassadors, travelling
to community fairs and festivals to deliver safety and injury prevention
messages to the public face to face.
One of the first stops is a visit to New Germany High School because
a student, who tried the D.U.M.B. Car last summer, wrote to IBC to ask
if the simulator could visit his school. From May 30 to June 2, the tour
will be at the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival. For a complete
schedule of locations and times, visit www.besmartbesafe.ca.
“Working in partnership with other injury prevention stakeholder
groups is essential to the success of our community outreach programs,”
said Yakabuski. “As a founding partner of Injury Free Nova Scotia,
we are delighted to present them with a $30,000 donation to support their
ongoing efforts to eliminate preventable injury,” he added.
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:
Ellen Woodger: 416-483-2358; or
James Geuzebroek: 416-362-2031 ext. 4364 |
