Students at Sunnybrook’s P.A.R.T.Y Program take the #practicesafetext pledge on October 21, 2014.
As a teen, getting your license and (finally!) having the freedom to drive yourself around town can be an exciting time. But have you ever stopped to think whether you #practicesafetext?
Distracted, impaired and aggressive driving can have life-altering consequences- these behaviours are the leading cause of death amongst teens. While only 13% of licensed drivers in Canada are 16 to 24 years old, they account for roughly one-quarter of fatalities and serious injuries on the road, according to Parachute.
“Sadly, the vast majority of these deaths are preventable”, says Joanne Banfield, Manager of Sunnybrook’s RBC First Office for Injury Prevention.
That’s why Parachute and Sunnybrook have teamed up to raise awareness through Project Gearshift about safer driving habits during National Teen Driver Safety Week from October 19-25.
This week, teens and adults are encouraged to take the pledge to #practicesafetext, and urge others to do the same.
Groups of students will be learning about safer driving habits this week at Sunnybrook’s P.A.R.T.Y Program, a one-day injury awareness and prevention program for youth. Other Gearshift events to promote teen driver safety will be taking place across Canada.
“Through community initiatives like P.A.R.T.Y., we will inspire young drivers to ensure they drive safely, while making them aware of the devastating effects of distracted, aggressive and impaired driving,” says Banfield. Sunnybrook has taken the pledge to #practicesafetext. Will you join us? Send us photos of you taking the pledge on Twitter!
