Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving

Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) is an anti-impaired driving initiative which is found across the province of Ontario, Canada, aimed primarily at youth involvement in combating impaired driving. It was founded in 1987[5] and encourages the student population to practice responsible choices and to never to drive while impaired. OSAID chapter members regularly hold awareness raising activities, such as mocktail sales or events aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired.

Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving
AbbreviationOSAID
FormationDecember 1, 1988 (1988-12-01)
TypeIndependent charity, non-profit
Location
  • Eastern Ontario
Region served
Ontario
Membership
Free, open to Secondary School students
Official language
English
Executive director
Matt Evans
Volunteers
5,000 (annual)
Websitewww.osaid.org
[1][2][3][4]

OSAID describes itself as "... a provincial youth driven organization peer education, health promotion and injury prevention program that strives to promote smart healthy choices through education and public awareness to prevent tragedies caused by impaired and distracted driving."[6]

Mission

Its mission statement, as described in an introductory meeting, is, "OSAID is about teens helping teens to consider safe alternatives and new perspectives to the perceived norms about Alcohol, Illicit Drugs, and Dangerous Driving."[7]

OSAID by the numbers:

  • OSAID positively impacts over ​1⁄2 million families every year[7]
  • OSAID reaches more than 300,000 students annually[7][8][9]

History

The organization was started in 1988 as a collaboration between students, teachers and police to raise awareness to youth about the dangers of driving while impaired.[10] In 1989, the logo was designed and the name "OSAID" was chosen.[10] A newsletter was created and distributed among about 200 students involved with the project.

The organization began holding workshops and launching media campaigns to get its message out. Scholarships have been awarded to youth shown to be exemplary in raising awareness of driving while under the influence, and continue today.[10]

Media campaigns

OSAID's media campaigns have consisted of short films, public service announcements, newsletters, and a DVD. They have received funding by a varying number of organizations, including the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, insurance companies such as OTIP/RAEO (Ontario Teachers' Insurance Plan) and the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association, and individual sponsors to its programme.[11]

In 1990, a short film entitled Life of the Party was produced by OSAID and nominated for best short education film at Canada's Short Film Festival, and in 1996 was selected as one of the top ten videos as a resource for educators by the Driver Education Advisory Committee. Public service announcements aired on television in 1991 for six months.[10] In 1993, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario collaborated in the poster Santa Rides with Deers, Not Beers. OSAID teamed with the Attorney General D/D Countermeasures Office to offer Arrive Alive video dances in Ontario high schools.

The 2009 iDrive Road Stories DVD,[12] a 23-minute video created to educate youth about safe, sober driving, was produced with input from the organization.[13]

OSAID newsletters, such as OSAID Speaks (began in 2010) have been distributed as an online resource through the OSAID website.

The "Meet the Challenge" project in 2012, produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, took place across the province.

OSAID developed and released online "Call Me" cards to serve as a promise that teenagers would call a sober driver, if needed, rather than try to drive themselves, with an accompanying contract.

See also

References
  1. "Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving – thehealthline.ca". Southwesthealthline.ca. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  2. "Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID)". Niagara.cioc.ca. Niagara Community Information Database Record Details. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  3. "Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving". Informationcnd.cioc.ca. Information Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Services Database Record Details. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  4. "OSAID – Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving – OSAID Achievements". OSAID. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  5. "Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID)". Niagara Community Information Database. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  6. "OSAID – Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving – Home". OSAID. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  7. Gandhi, Arjun (1 August 2013). "OSAID Introductory Meeting by Arjun Gandhi on Prezi". Prezi. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  8. "Impaired Driving – Programs and Campaigns". Ministry of Transportation. 20 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  9. "OSAID ~ Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving". Youth For Road Safety. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  10. "OSAID – Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving – OSAID History". OSAID. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  11. "OSAID – Ontario Students Against Imparied Driving – Sponsors and Supporters". OSAID. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  12. "OSAID – Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving – iDrive Road Stories". OSAID. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  13. "iDRIVE – Transport Canada". Transport Canada. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
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