'We want to end tragedies': NSLC, MADD Canada program teaches students dangers of impaired driving
Students across Nova Scotia are being educated on the dangers of impaired driving.
MADD Canada and the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) are bringing a new school program to students over the next year.
“Our goal is to stop impaired driving from happening,” said MADD Canada representative Jeric Tamayo.
On Wednesday, the presentation was delivered to students at Caledonia Junior High School in Dartmouth.
“It’s really important for them to be aware about the consequences when it comes to impaired driving because it really affects them individually, their families, their friends and the whole community as well,” said Tamayo.
According to MADD Canada, collisions are a leading cause of death among young people, with alcohol, cannabis or other drugs involved in more than half of those crashes.
“We want to end tragedies from happening all over Canada, and that’s really important for us to be able to educate students to be able to make the right decisions,” Tamayo said.
While the students at Wednesday’s presentation are not old enough to buy or consume alcohol or cannabis products, the NSLC said it’s important to educate teens on impaired driving now.
“Young people, especially in junior high and high school, are gaining a lot of autonomy and independence in terms of driver’s licence, going out with their friends,” said Marley MacDonald, the director of responsibility and sustainability with the NSLC.
“It’s really never too early to share that message of never driving impaired.”
For those who find themselves in a difficult situation, students learned today there is always a safe choice available.
“Whether that’s calling a friend or a guardian or a parent, taking a taxi or a bus ride home. You don’t have to drive impaired, and that’s a really important message that we want to ensure that everyone understands especially leading into the holiday season,” said MacDonald.
MADD Canada and the NSLC will be giving 40 presentations at English and French schools across Nova Scotia this year.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New Pentagon report on UFOs includes hundreds of new incidents but no evidence of aliens
The Pentagon's latest report on UFOs has revealed hundreds of new reports of unidentified and unexplained aerial phenomena but no indications suggesting an extraterrestrial origin.
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
Here's how a potential Canada Post strike may affect Canadians
A disruption in Canada Post services would hit some Canadians harder than others. As the deadline approaches for a potential strike at midnight Friday, CTVNews.ca asked readers how it would affect them and how they are preparing.
RCMP begins deploying body-worn cameras to frontline officers across Canada
Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.
'Countless lives were at risk:' 8 charged, including teen wanted in deadly home invasion, after West Queen West gun battle
A teenage boy arrested along with more than 20 others following a gun battle in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood was wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion in Etobicoke back in April, Toronto police say.
Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
Everything is under US$20 at Amazon's newest store
Amazon is targeting retail rivals Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop with a new deeply discounted storefront that sells a wide array of products for US$20 or less.
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
There are certain phrases that Wachuka Gichohi finds difficult to hear after enduring four years of living with long COVID, marked by debilitating fatigue, pain, panic attacks and other symptoms so severe she feared she would die overnight.