Media Advisory                     May 25, 2005

iDrive Road Safety Program Launches Locally

You are invited to see the launch of a road safety program. Grey-Bruce is one of 10 areas in Ontario offered this opportunity.  The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario created a new video called iDrive, which helps young drivers to recognize factors that contribute to unsafe driving and to develop strategies to avoid them.  Grade 10 and 11 students at West Hill Secondary School will have an opportunity to see the premiere showing of the iDrive video.

When:             Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Where:            West Hill Secondary School

750-9^th Street West, Owen Sound

Agenda:          10:30 – 10:50 a.m.       Speaker: Matt Evans, Provincial OSAID Coordinator

10:50 – 11:15 a.m.       iDrive Video Premiere 

11:15 – 11:40 a.m.       Question Period & Wrap-Up

View the video and interview youth about the impact it had on them.  Ask if they have seen evidence of motor vehicle injury rates for their age group.  Talk to the OSAID provincial coordinator, a community service officer or a public health nurse.

The video was distributed to all the classroom driving instructors who work with students from both boards of education.  Wayne McKibbon from Bluewater Driving Academy welcomes this new resource.  “The iDrive video gets new drivers thinking about distraction, drowsiness, impairments and aggressive driving habits.  This is a great video to stimulate discussion on these important topics.” 

“In Grey-Bruce, hospitalization rates due to motor vehicle collisions are higher than provincial rates for nearly all age groups. What is particularly distressing is that injury rates from motor vehicle collisions in the 16 to 24 age group are 216% higher than the provincial average,” says Public Health Nurse Linda Yenssen.   “It only takes a split second to change things forever.  I’ve heard young people say they placed themselves in danger while driving because they were playing with the stereo, were too tired to be driving, or were too impatient with other drivers.  It is time to start talking about this issue.  The iDrive campaign will initiate the conversation.”

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For more information:

Linda Yenssen

Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

881-1920 , ext. 231