March 24, 2017 – TORONTO, ON – Allstate Insurance Company of Canada supports and congratulates Nipissing, ON MPP Vic Fedeli on putting forward a private member’s bill to help combat distracted driving. Bill 19, The Safe Texting Zones Act, passed second reading with unanimous support from all parties and will now move to committee.
"We applaud this bill and thank MPP Fedeli for bringing it forward and hope the Government will make it law,” says Ryan Michel, President and CEO, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “As an auto insurance provider, we see first-hand the devastation and increasing impact distracted driving is having on Canadian roads. If we can do anything to help deter drivers from using their devices while operating a vehicle, we encourage the action to be taken.”
If passed, the legislation would allow the government to designate any of the 185 already-existing rest stops, parking lots, transit stations, and service areas across Ontario as safe texting zones, where motorists can stop and park their vehicles to safely use their wireless devices.
“In today’s fast-paced, highly connected world, we know it’s tempting to multi-task at every opportunity, but driving a vehicle safely takes your full attention,” says Michel. “We urge drivers, through campaigns like our Just Drive® initiative, to avoid distractions whenever behind the wheel and to wait until it is safe to make their call, select new music, or look up a location on their GPS device. Safe Texting Zones can help drivers do what they need to do in a safe environment.”
About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada:
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of the country's leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products, including usage-based insurance, serving Canadians since 1953. The company strives to keep its customers in "Good Hands®" as well as its employees, and has been listed as a Best Employer in Canada for five years in a row. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), United Way, and Junior Achievement. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca. For more safety tips and advice, visit goodhandsadvice.ca.
About Just Drive Canada:
Just Drive® is a public safety awareness initiative created by Allstate Insurance Company Canada in 2010. The program looks for new and innovative ways to educate drivers of all ages about the dangers of driver distraction, including conducting national surveys, distracted driving tally events, the Just Drive contest for High School students, technology detox events, and more.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Anna Weigt-Bienzle
Senior Communications Specialist
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
O: 905-475-4527
M: 416-278-4141
E: aweigtbienzle@allstate.ca