Resources: Distracted driving
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Lesson plans
To request a ready-to-use lesson plan on distracted driving for grades 11 and 12 students, please email cycp_cpcj@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
The plan includes engaging activities and conversation starters to help educate youth on:
- The consequences of distracted driving
- How to prevent distracted driving
Campaigns
Leave the Phone Alone
The RCMP is a partner of the Leave the Phone Alone campaign, which encourages Canadians to make a pledge to avoid all distractions when driving. Encourage youth to:
- Watch the RCMP Leave the Phone Alone Video
- Take the online pledge
- Let their friends and family know they've signed the pledge by using #LTPA or #LeaveThePhoneAlone on social media
- Visit the Leave the Phone Alone website to access more information about the campaign, useful facts and awareness tools.
RCMP Leave the Phone Alone Video
Transcript - Leave the Phone Alone
In the blink of an eye
Everything can change
Distracted driving can be just as dangerous an drunk driving
So...
Leave the phone alone!
Distracted driving is anything that takes:
Your eyes off the road
Your hands off the wheel
Your mind off the task
(A clock appears on screen with the hands turning.)
You may say that it just takes a second or two, but...
While you were looking at your phone…
(A Stop sign appears on the screen.)
you drove through a stop sign.
While you were searching for a different song…
(An ambulance with its emergency lights flashing.)
you held up an ambulance rushing to the hospital.
While you were programming the GPS…
(A cellphone with a "GPS" app on screen.)
You didn't see the cyclist.
(A cyclist appears from behind the cellphone.)
(A cellphone with a social media/news app open.)
While you were checking your newsfeed…
(A TV with the words "Breaking News".)
you ended up making the traffic news.
(A person driving a snail while texting is holding up traffic.)
In 4 out of 5 collisions,
the driver looked away 3 seconds prior to the accident.
(A cellphone ringing.)
Because you picked up that phone call…
(A faint image of a car that has been in a collision.)
someone you care about will be receiving one.
Distracted Driving can lead to:
Fines and demerit points
Increased insurance
License suspension
Jail time
Injury
Death
Here's what you can do:
Ignore your devices.
Or, pull over safely.
Collisions can happen in the blink of an eye.
The impact is forever.
Sign the pledge. www.leavethephonealone.ca
(The Leave the Phone Alone Campaign logo.)
For more information, please visit the Centre for Youth Crime Prevention
(Black screen with white writing)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2014.
Canada wordmark
More conversation starters
Access these external resources and help get the conversation started with youth.
- Distracted driving (CAA)
- Statistics and videos on distracted driving, tips on how to avoid it and information about the laws.
- Infographic: Five ways proactive driving can save your life (Young Drivers Canada)
- Statistics that show the importance of staying focused on the road and tips for proactive driving.
- Road safety (Parachute Canada)
- Tips to help recognize and prevent distracted driving.
- The issues - Distraction (TIRF - Young and New Driver Resource Centre)
- Information and parent resources on distracted driving and youth, including definitions, statistics and prevention tips.
The legal impacts of distracted driving can vary depending on the circumstances, and in which province or territory the offence took place. Your provincial or territorial government may have resources that could be useful to you.
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