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2009-05-27 - iDRIVE Video Launch for Teens I-Drive Video Launch Promotes Safe Driving for Teens Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa Media Release - Media Invite Ottawa chosen for launch of new DVD! New road safety video targets students Wednesday May 27, 2009 Ottawa – The Insurance Bureau of Canada states that teenage drivers are four times more likely to die in an automobile collision than those 25-34 years of age and nine times more likely than drivers ages 45-54. Hoping to decrease these numbers, The Ministry of Transportation in Partnership with Arrive Alive Ontario, O.S.A.I.D. (Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving), Ottawa P.A.R.T.Y. program (Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth), Ontario Provincial Police, Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health have produced a 20-minute DVD titled I-Drive. The launch site of this DVD will be at Earl of March Secondary School in Kanata on Wednesday May 27, 2009 (10:00am to 11:00am). Students will receive a one hour presentation including an appearance by motivational speaker and educator Matt John Evans. Media are invited. This video aims to raise the awareness of young drivers about the risks and consequences of aggressive and unsafe driving and helps develop strategies for making better driving-related decisions. “We don’t use the word ‘accident’, as it implies there was an element of chance or fate involved”, says Darryl Wilton, president of the Professional Association of Ottawa. “Almost all of these fatalities are preventable, and events should truthfully be referred to as ‘crashes’ or ‘collisions’”. This is a tremendous opportunity to reinforce the injury prevention messages the Ottawa P.A.R.T.Y program brings to local youth, and the timing couldn’t be better. "Paramedics see a sharp increase in preventable injuries during the summer months with many of those having devastating consequences including loss of life”, says Wilton. “It is important to remind our youth their passion for living is worth more than reckless impulsiveness and show them the consequences of how one bad decision can impact so much in life." The DVD is 20 minutes long and includes segments on driver distraction, crash trauma, excessive speeding, drowsy driving, impairment by alcohol and/or drugs, and seatbelt use. - 30 - Media are invited to the DVD launch at Earl of March Secondary School. There will be interview and photo opportunities with paramedics and students available at the event. Date: Wednesday, May 27th 2009 Time: 10:00am - 11:00am Location: Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway, Kanata, ON K2K 1Y4, Telephone : 613-592-3361 For additional information, please contact: Darryl Wilton, Advanced Care Paramedic President Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa 300 March Road (4th Floor) Ottawa, ON K2K 2E2 (613) 244-0333 ext 1 president@ottawaparamedics.ca www.OttawaParamedics.ca Erica Battram, RN ENCC Injury Prevention Coordinator The Ottawa Hospital CPC Room 164 – 1053 Carling Avenue Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9 613-798-5555 ext 19602 ebattram@ohri.ca www.ottawahospital.on.ca/party/no-flash-index.asp The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is responsible for promoting the practice of Paramedicine and ensuring the highest level of care for our patients. We are leaders in the advancement of Paramedicine and achieve our objectives through public awareness, research and education. We lobby for self-regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act. We also assist in fundraising for community-based charities. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is a proud chapter of the Ontario Paramedic Association and the Paramedic Association of Canada. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa (PPAO) is not a labour union. |