VANCOUVER, March 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Canadian auto dealers are banding together this month with a message: they are not okay with distracted driving and want consumers to share their sentiment, inspired by a country-wide campaign to increase attention and education around this dangerous behaviour.
With nearly 80% of collisions caused by some form of distracted driving in Canada – and a leading cause of fatalities every year - more than 430 dealerships have signed up to participate in the Auto Dealers Against Distracted Driving campaign this March, citing the importance of bringing more awareness of the issue to consumers directly through their automotive point-of-sale.
"It was a no brainer for us to participate in the campaign, being the first touch-point for car buyers," says Linda Leo, customer relations manager, West Coast Auto Group. "We care about our communities and more importantly, about the safety of our customers once they leave the lot in a brand new car. We believe that part of our responsibility, as a player in the automotive industry, is to ensure we've done our due diligence in educating everyone that walks through our doors around the perils of driving distracted."
West Coast Auto Group is just one group of hundreds participating in the Auto Dealers Against Distracted Driving campaign across Canada this year. To date, more than 1,500 personal pledges have already been submitted at www.distractionfree.ca from both employees at participating dealerships and their customers, demonstrating a united commitment to never drive distracted—and this number continues to grow.
The initiator and support behind the campaign, LGM Financial Services Inc., say the goal at the close of the campaign on March 31 is to surpass at least 5,000 pledges from dealer partners, their customers and members of the public against distracted driving in every province and territory, collectively.
"We feel that the physical act of signing your name as a pledge against distracted driving helps instigate behaviour change and we're excited to see the momentum generated by auto dealers to date," says Christine Rybas, executive vice president of marketing at LGM Financial Services Inc. "Whether it's using hands-free technology while driving or pulling your car over to send a text, we can together bring a heightened awareness to the issue and the solutions, leading drivers toward positive change and ultimately making roads safer for everyone."
This March, help inspire change across Canada by making an online pledge of support against distracted driving at www.distractionfree.ca. Learn more about the campaign and available campaign collateral on Twitter (@distractfree) or find Distraction Free Canada on Facebook.
About LGM Financial Services Inc.
LGM Financial Services Inc. is a dealer development company and leading supplier of tier one automotive warranty, insurance and finance products. With success built upon innovation, creativity and strong partnerships with distinguished automotive manufacturers, LGM maximizes dealer performance by delivering quality products backed with comprehensive training and support. LGM is certified under the prestigious Service Capability and Performance Standards, has been ranked among Canada's Best Workplaces by the Great Place to Work® Institute for seven consecutive years, and has been repeatedly honored by PROFIT 500 as one of Canada's Fastest-Growing companies.
SOURCE LGM Financial Services Inc.
Media contact: Ryan Perica, LGM Financial Services Inc., P: 604-806-3880, E: [email protected]
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