Keep Roads Safe This Festive Season ? Plan Ahead for a Safe Ride Home if Drinking or Consuming Drugs

OAKVILLE, Ontario, Nov. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As we head into the first weekend of December, the holiday parties and gatherings are ramping up. MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada are asking all Canadians to keep the festivities safe by always having sober transportation home if alcohol and/or cannabis are being consumed.

"Tragedies caused by impaired driving are 100% preventable. This year, impaired driving took on a new meaning with the legalization of recreational cannabis," said Allstate Canada President and CEO Ryan Michel. "Regardless if your holiday party plans include alcohol, cannabis, or any other substance that can impair your ability to drive, remember to leave the driving to someone sober."

Thousands of Canadians are killed and injured in impaired driving crashes every year. During this holiday season, MADD Canada and Allstate Canada are asking Canadians to prevent impaired driving:

• don't drive impaired ? book an Uber, call a cab, take public transit, arrange a designated driver or plan to stay overnight;
• don't ride with drivers who are impaired;
• if you see a driver you suspect is impaired, call 911 and report it to police.

While a great deal of progress has been made in the fight against impaired driving over the years, the job is not finished yet. Alcohol and drug-related crashes continue to be a deadly problem on Canadian roads and continued awareness efforts are crucial, especially now that cannabis is legal.

"It only takes a few minutes to plan out a safe and sober ride option, and it can prevent an impaired driving charge, or, worse, a tragic crash that kills or injures someone," said MADD Canada National President Patricia Hynes-Coates.

MADD Canada's holiday awareness campaign, Project Red Ribbon, will be in full swing throughout the month of December. Sponsored by Allstate Canada, the campaign involves hundreds of MADD Canada volunteers in communities across the country distributing red ribbons and red ribbon car decals for the public to display as a symbol of their commitment to always drive safe and sober. The ribbons also serve as a powerful tribute to the thousands of Canadians killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs each year. 

Ribbons and car decals are available through the MADD Canada web site at madd.ca, Chapters and Community Leaders, and participating sponsor outlets.  Anyone who wishes to support Project Red Ribbon with a donation can do so online through the web site, by calling 1-800-665-6233 or by texting "RIBBON" to 45678 (a one-time $10 donation is added to the donor's cell phone bill and payable to his or her service provider.)

Those looking for a safe, sober and reliable ride home at the push of a button can check out Uber, MADD Canada's Official Designated Driving App. Visit https://www.uber.com/partner/en-ca/madd-canada/  for more information.

About MADD Canada
MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. To learn more, visit www.madd.ca. 

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is a leading home and automobile insurer focused on providing our valued customers prevention and protection products and services for every stage of life. Serving Canadians since 1953, Allstate strives to keep our customers and employees in "Good Hands®". We are proud to have been named a Best Employer in Canada for seven consecutive years. Allstate is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it we operates and has partnered with organizations such as MADD Canada, United Way and Junior Achievement. To learn more, visit www.allstate.ca. For safety tips and advice, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca.