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Wednesday, May 09, 2012

The only call your mother should be receiving this Mother's Day is from you

Communications Services PSA campaign, Proper use of 9−1−1,
The only call your mother should be receiving this Mother's Day is from you
Broadcast time: 16:54 Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Communications Services:  416−808−8800

The Toronto Police Service is launching its fifth of 12 PSA campaign videos promoting the proper use of the 9−1−1 emergency system. This month's focus is on calling 9−1−1 to report suspected impaired drivers. The only call your mom should receive this Mother's Day is from you.

Click here to view the latest video.


Impaired driving is the #1 cause of criminal death in Canada, yet every impaired driving crash is preventable. By calling 9−1−1 and reporting suspected impaired drivers to police, all Canadians can play a role in keeping our roads safe and reducing impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries. This message is delivered by MADD Canada and supported by the Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police.

In 2011, over 5,200 calls were made to 9−1−1 to report a suspected impaired driver, and over 4,200 people have been charged with Criminal Code driving offences, which include Driving While Impaired and Over 80mg, in 2011.

This year so far, there have been over 1,400 calls placed to 9−1−1 to report suspected impaired drivers.

"Using 9−1−1 is an effective way to report emergency situations to police. Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to public safety and certainly are emergencies. Do not put yourself in danger; call 9−1−1 and provide the information to our call−takers. Everyone can assist in keeping our roads safe and in reducing impaired driving collisions, injuries and deaths," said Superintendent Elizabeth Byrnes, Unit Commander of Communications Services.

What do I do if I suspect someone is driving impaired?
1. Call 9−1−1
2. Advise the call−taker why you are calling and provide the call−taker with the requested information that might include:
      − Vehicle Description
      − Licence plate number of vehicle
      − Colour of vehicle
      − Make and Model of vehicle
      − Direction of Travel for the vehicle
      − Description of Driver
3. "What makes you think the driver is impaired?"
4. "Are you Following the Vehicle?"

The call−taker will advise any caller who is following an impaired driver to stop following the vehicle. The Toronto Police Service does NOT encourage citizens to follow or pursue vehicles or persons under any circumstance.

"Every member of society should do their part to ensure that no one they know drives while impaired or gets into a vehicle with an impaired driver. By simply calling 9−1−1 to make a report, we all make our roadways safer for everyone", said TPS Staff Superintendent Jane Wilcox of Specialized Operations.

Click here for related TPS article.

"Impaired driving crashes can’t be taken back, that’s why prevention and intervention are essential. Ontario has significant consequences for impaired drivers but if that won’t deter them, Operation Lookout is a great program to get these drivers off the road before they crash" said Mary Purnell, Arrive Alive Board Member.

Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Superintendent Elizabeth Byrnes, Communications Services

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