Canadian auto dealers persuaded 18,509 people to take a pledge against distracted driving in March, more than double the number they set out to reach during the 2017 Auto Dealers Against Distracted Driving Campaign.
The goal was 8,000 pledges.
Dealers aimed to educate drivers about easy and simple solutions to resist the urge to drive distracted. They offered advice like using Bluetooth while driving and securing potential distractions before starting a trip.
LGM Financial Services started the campaign in 2015.
It says Canadian dealers have a unique opportunity to influence consumers directly through their automotive retail point-of-sale.
“As a collective force, dealers can bring more awareness to a form of impaired driving that puts their communities at risk, LGM said in a statement.
The company provided participating dealerships posters, pens, key tags given to customers after service and mirror danglers for cars in the showroom.
Besides pledging in person at the dealership, customers were encouraged to make their pledge on Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #TakeTheWheel.
Hands-free training
LGM spokeswoman Amanda Brkich previously said there are so many bells and whistles in cars that people sometimes need assistance in learning them before they leave the lot. Dealers were – and still are – encouraged to make sure customers understand how the GPS works and how to activate hands-free calling.
The RCMP says drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to cause injury while the CAA says distracted driving is responsible for four million collisions each year in North America.
Audi of Richmond in Richmond, B.C., got 3,560 pledges to lead the way. Cowell Volkswagen, also in Richmond, B.C., got 3,435 while Mountain Hyundai of Hamilton, Ont., got 901 to round out the top three.
Despite the March push being done, people can still take the pledge.
