February 15, 2011

'Devastation of drinking and driving' message delivered to Manitoba teens ─ Manitoba Public Insurance launches grassroots program

Thousands of Manitoba teens will hear about the physical devastation and emotional trauma caused by drinking and driving from speakers whose lives have been touched by this crime.

Manitoba Public Insurance’s “Friends for Life” Speaker Series begins this month with four speakers touring more than 30 schools throughout the province. Working in partnership with the Manitoba School Board Association (MSBA) and Teens Against Drinking and Driving (TADD), students will hear a one-hour presentation from a speaker whose life has been forever changed because of drinking and driving.

“The ‘Friends for Life’ program is a grassroots program, with a message specifically aimed at young people who are new to driving,” said Ted Hlynsky, Vice-President, Claims Control & Safety Operations, Manitoba Public Insurance.

“The speakers will deliver an emotional presentation about drinking and driving and how all of us can make the right decision and not drink and drive.”

TADD is an organization for young adults, established to help promote awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. The group’s mandate is to encourage young drivers to think before they get behind the wheel after drinking.

“Education and awareness are keys in reducing the number of alcohol-related deaths in our province,” said Keith Thomas, Risk Manager of MSBA. “Young drivers can set their life-long safe driving habits now. Positive messaging and giving them options can set them on the right driving path.”

The four speakers in the “Friends for Life” program are:

Kevin Brooks, Vancouver

• From his wheelchair, Kevin shares the story of the night that changed his life and those of many around him forever. What started as a booze-fuelled Saturday night quickly turned tragic with a poor choice. Kevin left a party, driving at excessive speeds after consuming large amounts of alcohol. He wasn’t alone. Beside him sat his passenger and childhood friend Brendon.
  
  Kevin lost control of his vehicle and ended up in a deadly rollover collision that left him paralyzed from the waist down and bound to a wheelchair.  His friend Brendon lost his life.  Kevin now speaks about his experiences as a way to hopefully prevent others from making the poor choices that he did. 

Mike Buckingham, Washington State

• Michael’s career as a state trooper with the Washington State Patrol ended when he suffered terrible injuries in a crash caused by an impaired driver.
  
  Michael uses a combination of humour and often gut wrenching realism to take his audience through his crash. Michael has first-hand knowledge of the pain — emotional as well as physical — that such a crash leaves in its wake.

Joey Cowan, Winnipeg

• Joey is a trained addictions councillor who brings the unique perspective of a recovering substance abuser to his presentations. Joey presents on his personal experiences with impaired driving and gives his point of view as a friend who has lost those important to him to impaired driving collisions.

Michelle Golebiowski, Winnipeg

• Michelle’s life changed forever after her best friend was killed by a drunk driver. Her mission is to share her life-changing experience with others so they can make the right decision and not drink and drive ─ and maybe save someone’s life.

While sharing a common theme ─ dangers of drinking and driving ─ each speaker’s presentation will be unique, highly compelling and targeted for the audience.

“About a third of all fatal crashes and injuries in Manitoba are related to drinking and driving,” said Hlynsky. “While the statistics about impaired driving are sobering, the most powerful messages come from people who have been personally affected by a drunk driver.”