Parachute Looks For Young Drivers to Use Positive Peer Pressure to Help Stop Distracted Driving

Parachute is looking for young youth to use positive peer pressure to help stop distracted driving and save lives. The initiative launches as a part of National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW).

The number one killer of teens in Canada are auto collisions, making distracted driving a major issue for young adults. Young adults only make up 13 percent of licensed drivers in Canada. Even though that number is low, young drivers still account for one in every four road-related injuries and fatalities.

Parachute is partnering with State Farm to raise awareness about road safety during NTDSW.  NTDSW, which occurs from October 19 through October 25, aims to reduce the number of distracted drivers on the road which will help save lives. President and CEO of Parachute Louise Logan said:

“Parachute is asking teens to recognize that they can lead their generation and be part of a movement to transform driving habits across Canada. We want teens to start talking about distracted driving and spark a positive change that ensure safer roads for everyone.”

State Farm Canada Media Relations expert John Bordignon said:

“What makes distracted driving and its consequences so tragic is that it is 100% avoidable. We know that young people can have a strong influence on one another. NTDSW highlights the dangers of distracted driving and hopes teens will watch out for their friends, speak up when they encounter a dangerous situation, make distracted driving socially unacceptable and become safer drivers and passengers.”

Here is a list of stats about teen driving behaviour:

– Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of young adults reported they know someone who has been injured in a collision or killed as a result of distracted driving.

– Over 80 per cent of young adults report that they would say something if they were to see a friend using a smartphone while driving.

– 89 per cent of young adults say they have been informed about distracted driving and are aware of the risks associated with it. The most common sources have been through media, at school, through parents and through friends.

– 51 per cent of young adults admitted to using a smartphone while driving. 98 per cent of young adults felt that texting and driving is somewhat or very dangerous.

– Distracted driving is a factor in up to 19 per cent of all fatal crashes involving teens.

To learn more about Parachute’s initiatives in your city and province, check out their website which gives you full information on how to participate. Please share this information with all your friends and family through your favourite means (social media or otherwise) and help raise awareness of distracted driving, which will save innocent lives on the road.