The provincial government has committed $105,000 in support for traffic safety by funding groups working to reduce impaired driving.
According to a press release from the province, the funding will support Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) Alberta and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada. Funding will be provided through the Alberta Traffic Safety Fund.
“MADD and SADD do good work to educate students and the public on the dangers of impaired driving and I’m pleased to continue supporting their efforts to improve safety on Alberta roads," said Minister of Transportation Ric McIver, in a statement.
As per the funding, SADD Alberta will receive $80,000 to provide resources and activities to help high-school students learn about the dangers of drinking, drugs and distractions while driving.
“SADD Alberta is excited to work with the Government of Alberta, as well as the youth and communities in the province, to help eliminate impaired driving," said Arther Lee, a provincial community liaison for SADD Alberta, in a statement. "Students of all ages can send an important message and have a big impact on their local communities. This partnership will allow us the opportunity to reach students through speaker tours and develop new resources for junior and senior high school students throughout the province.”
MADD Canada will receive the remaining $25,000 to cover the cost of bringing the School Assembly Program to schools across Alberta. This program helps to educate students in grades 7 to 12 about on staying safe in risky situations and adopting alternative solutions to driving impaired.
“The Alberta Traffic Safety Fund has been a sponsor of MADD Canada’s School Assembly Program since 2009, donating more than $200,000 in that time," said MADD Canada Chief Executive Officer Dawn Regan, in a statement. "This generous support has enabled MADD Canada to deliver more than 200 presentations to middle and high schools across Alberta over the past 10 years, reaching approximately 100,000 youth.”
