Fines for Canadians caught driving while using a mobile device have increased dramatically over the last few years. But even with stiffer penalties, distracted driving remains a significant issue across Canada.
Similar to other organizations, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) wants to make Canadian roads safer and raise awareness of the dangers stemming from distracted driving. The IBC has launched an ad campaign with the goal of encouraging Canadians to put down their mobile devices while behind the wheel. A short film entitled #LikeLife was produced to drive the message home.
In a statement sent to MobileSyrup, Sally Turney, vice president of communications at IBC said, “Unfortunately, we continue to see an increasing number of drivers engaging on social media. Whether checking their Twitter feed, scrolling through their Facebook timeline, or looking at their friend’s posts on Instagram – we urge drivers to put the phone down. Our message is simple: Your life is worth more than a Like. By using your phone behind the wheel you’re not only breaking the law, you’re putting your life and the lives of others on the road at risk.”
The national industry association says that the chance of a crash increases 23 times when a driver is texting behind the wheel, and that using a cellphone while driving continues to be one of the most serious road safety issues across the country.
While shocking, the video above is not as gruesome as the “Sounds of Texting” campaign launched by the OPP last year.
