MADD Timmins kicks off Campaign 911

MADD Timmins Chapter, in conjunction with the Timmins Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police, encourages the public to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers

MADD TIMMINS CHAPTER is once again encouraging people to help in the fight to end drinking and driving.  Today (December 1) the local chapter launched Campaign 911.  The annual campaign encourages motorists to call 911 if they suspect an impaired driver.

On average, 4 Canadians are killed and 207 are injured every day as a result of impaired driving. Effective 911 programs increase arrest rates for impaired driving by 30% on average.

Launched nationally in 2007, Campaign 911 encourages and empowers Canadians to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911. Across the country more than 100 MADD Canada Chapters and Community Leaders join with their local police services and other partners to spread the message to report impaired drivers.

Stop Impaired Driving – Call 911

Campaign 911 is one of MADD Canada’s most innovative awareness programs. This annual, national campaign encourages and empowers all Canadians to join the fight against impaired driving by calling 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

• Campaign 911 gives Canadians the power to help keep our roads safe and reduce impaired driving deaths and injuries by alerting police to suspected impaired driving before potentially deadly crashes occur.

• It educates Canadians about the possible signs of impaired driving and what to do if they spot a suspected impaired driver. Campaign 911 changes perceptions by confirming that impaired driving is indeed an emergency situation and 911 is the appropriate number to call.

• Effective 911 programs have been found to increase arrest rates for impaired driving by an average of 30%.

• More than 100 MADD Canada Chapters and Community Leaders across the country join with their local police and other partners to raise awareness and spread the message to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

• Campaign 911 has grown extensively since its inception in 2007.  More and more people are calling 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.

• The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Police Association and the Canadian Association of Police Boards are important national partners in Campaign 911 while local/regional police services and community partners play an essential role in program

10 POSSIBLE SIGNS OF AN IMPAIRED DRIVER:

1. Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
2. Drifting in and out of lanes
3. Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
4. Making exceptionally wide turns
5. Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
6. Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
7. Disregarding signals and lights
8. Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
9. Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn
signals on
10.Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather

Dangerous Driving Behaviour could be a sign of an Impaired Driver.

ALWAYS MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ANY DRIVER YOU SUSPECT MIGHT BE IMPAIRED. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEATBELT.