December 22/22 16:41 pm - 2022 DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE Campaign Launches

Posted by Editoress on 12/22/22
 

The Don't Text and Drive awareness campaign is back for a fifth year and it is more relevant than ever, as cyclist deaths on our roads are increasing, according to the SAAQ's Road Safety Report 2021.

Louis Garneau, founding president of Louis Garneau Sports, collaborated with the Quebec government to have the 1.5 meter law passed. He has been organizing the Tour du Silence for over 10 years in Quebec City in memory of cyclists who have died on our roads.

This year, the need to reinforce the message of cyclist safety on the roads is even stronger for Garneau. "I hate December 22nd because I lost my friend, Australian cyclist Jason Lowndes, fatally struck by a texting driver. It was December 22, 2017, he was a great 23 year old professional cyclist with his whole life ahead of him. His life ended too soon! Since that event, I have started the international "Don't Text and Drive" day. December is the month of festivities and family reunions, it's the time of the year where everyone is happy to meet and give gifts to each other. It is also the month of distractions on the road, we are rushed, unfocused, and sometimes texting while driving," says Louis Garneau.

"Let's collectively take this day as an awareness to never text when driving, because it can kill cyclists, pedestrians and loved ones. Cyclists do not ride to die on the roads, yet in November we lost another cycling friend, Italian professional Davide Rebellin who was killed by a distracted driver. Davide had just retired as a professional cyclist and was riding just for fun. I created a short 20-second video to raise awareness among drivers. This video will be broadcast worldwide on December 22nd to prevent further accidents around the world. Texting can kill cyclists and friends!"