Kick the Summer Off Right: Help Prevent Impaired Driving This Canada Day Long Weekend

Oakville, ON (Marketwired) With the holiday long weekend almost here, MADD Canada and Allstate Insurance Company of Canada are urging everyone to start the summer season off right by making sober driving a priority for all Canada Day celebrations.

"Which ever way you choose to celebrate our country's birthday this weekend, make sure you do all you can to prevent impaired driving," said MADD Canada National President Denise Dubyk. "It's a simple message that everyone has heard many times, yet every summer we hear of impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries that could have been prevented. If you're drinking, plan ahead: take a cab or bus, arrange for a designated driver or spend the night. Always leave the driving to someone sober."


This weekend, and all summer long, MADD Canada and Allstate Canada are reminding people about the dangers of impaired driving and how they can reduce the risks:

• Don't drive a car, boat, ATV or any other vehicle while impaired 

• Don't get into a vehicle operated by someone who is impaired 

• Call 911 if you see a driver you suspect is impaired

The Call 911 message is one MADD Canada and Allstate Canada will continue to emphasize this summer. Working with police, government and community organizations, MADD Canada Chapters and Community Leaders across the country encourage people to call 911 if they see a driver they suspect is impaired. One call could make the difference between an impaired driver being apprehended by police or a devastating and potentially life-threatening crash.

"Allstate Canada's agents and employees proudly support community based initiatives that make our neighborhoods better and safer places to live and work," said John O'Donnell, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Partnering with MADD Canada on Campaign 911 and its other awareness and education campaigns is one of the most important things we do to help make the roads in our communities safer on this holiday weekend, and on every weekend throughout the year."

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 Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada's leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. "The Good Hands Network®" enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 83 community-based Agencies, directly online atwww.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as MADD Canada, Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada's hockey youth. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada was named as a Best Employer in Canada, by Aon Hewitt for 2013. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visitwww.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.