HALIFAX, June 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) wishes all Canadians a happy – and safe – Canada Day. "The Canada Day weekend is a wonderful time to travel, to get out on the water or to spend time with family and friends," says Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic Canada, IBC. "Here's a safety checklist to ensure your holiday weekend is all fun," she adds.
On the roads:
- Plan for a designated driver ahead of festivities. Never drink and drive.
- Avoid driver distractions. Stop the car to text, to talk on the phone, to eat or to deal with restless children.
- Use seatbelts and appropriate child car seats and booster seats at all times.
- Know and follow the rules of the road, including posted speed limits.
- Drive according to road conditions.
- If you're tired, pull over into a safe location and take a nap. Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
- Have your vehicle checked to make sure everything is working properly, including fluid levels, tire pressure and lights.
- Before towing a trailer or hauling a load, make sure your vehicle is properly equipped for the job. Ensure that your rear-view mirrors give a clear view of the road.
- If you see a wild animal on or near the road, brake firmly but don't swerve. Sound your horn in a series of short bursts to frighten the animal away.
On the water:
- Supervise children at all times.
- Drive powerboats and personal water craft responsibly, according to the applicable rules. Check the weather forecast before heading out.
- Don't drink alcohol while operating a boat.
- Know water conditions and your own physical limits when swimming.
- Supply each passenger with a life jacket that fits and is in good repair.
(Sources: Insurance Bureau of Canada, Canada Safety Council, Canadian Red Cross, Transport Canada, and Lifesaving Society)
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes and levies to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $46 billion.
To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook.
If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.
SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada
To schedule an interview, please contact: Daniel McIntyre, Media Relations Intern, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312, [email protected]; Ellen Woodger, Communications Consultant, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-483-2358, [email protected]
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