Irving Oil And Madd Canada Team Up To Make Roads Safer This Holiday Season
HALIFAX, NS — MADD Canada and Irving Oil are marking the launch of Project Red Ribbon in Atlantic Canada, reminding people about the importance of always driving sober.
Project Red Ribbon runs from November until January 2014. During that time, MADD Canada’s Atlantic Region Chapters and Community Leaders will be out in their communities handing out red ribbons and educational material to create awareness about safe driving.
“Every year, between 1,250 and 1,500 Canadians die in impairment-related crashes. Every one of these crashes is completely preventable,” said MADD Canada National President Angeliki Souranis. “Our red ribbon reminds everyone that they have the power to stop impaired driving. With Irving Oil’s help, we will reach many more people with that message this holiday season.”
Irving Oil fleet vehicles, which cover between 4 to 5 million miles every year throughout Atlantic Canada and New England, feature the MADD Canada logo and red ribbon decals. Irving Oil, as a sponsor of MADD Canada for the last four years, also trains its drivers to identify and report suspected impaired drivers.
“With more than 100 trucks on the road at any given time throughout Atlantic Canada, safe roads are of paramount importance to us,” says Johnny Grant, Manager of Sales and Operations for Irving Oil. “It’s an honour to add the red ribbon to our fleet and also work with our drivers to recognize and report impaired drivers; we want everyone to enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.”
“Over the last year, HRM Partners in Policing have charged more than 470 people with impaired driving in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), with about 32% of those charges stemming from safety-minded drivers who call 911 to report a suspected impaired driver. Project Red Ribbon serves as a strong reminder to our citizens to make a commitment not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs which will decrease the number of impaired drivers on our roads and highways and ultimately keep our community safe,” says Staff Sergeant Scott MacDonald, HRM’s Public Safety Officer.
Irving Oil joined MADD Canada in 2010 as the Official Sponsor of Project Red Ribbon. The corporation is also a major supporter of MADD Canada’s Campaign 911 initiative, which encourages motorists to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.
Red Ribbons are available through the MADD Canada web site, Chapters and Community Leaders and Allstate offices across the country, as well as from select coin box partners that can be found on the MADD Canada web site. For a full list of coin box partners, please visit: http://www.madd.ca/madd2/en/services/awareness_campaigns_red_ribbon_sponsors.html
About MADD Canada
MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) 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. For more information, visit www.madd.ca
About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a privately owned regional energy and marketing company that provides Eastern Canada and New England with high-quality products and customer service. Founded in 1924 and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Irving Oil maintains a strong tradition of committed community service and partnerships through programs in healthcare, the environment, education and sports. For more information about Irving Oil and its community programs, please visit us at https://www.irvingoil.com/ or follow us at facebook.com/irvingoil
Contact:
MADD Canada National
President Angeliki Souranis
514-515-6233
asouranis@madd.ca
Sam Robinson
Irving Oil
Public Affairs
506-650-4947
sam.robinson@irvingoil.com