The Student Life Education Company was pleased to welcome Chris Tonks, School Board Trustee for the York South-Weston region, to its headquarters on July 23^rd. During the visit, Student Life Education Company employees and Mr. Tonks were able to discuss the rapidly approaching 10^th anniversary of National Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving Day (to be held October 21^st, 2008), as well as other local initiatives to curb impaired and distracted driving. Many thanks to Mr. Tonks for taking the time to visit!

Fundraising Ideas for your NSAIDD Day Event

Are you wondering how to fundraise for the NSAIDD Day event at your school? We have a couple ideas. First, check out the micalendar program at the following link: www.studentlifeeducation.com/PDF/CreateYourOwnCalendarSchools.pdf which allows your school to make and sell a custom calendar. If you would like other ideas, try these three ideas which should help: http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Fun-and-Easy-School-Fundraising-Ideas&id=1323793.
Be creative! Think of events and fundraisers that can both make support your NSAIDD Day event financially, as well as raise awareness that the event itself will be taking place.

There appear to have been more calls lately for a zero tolerance policy with respect to blood alcohol concentration while driving for those under the age of 21, particularly after a crash in Muskoka last weekend left 3 youth dead. Ontario’s Premier, Dalton McGuinty, recently announced that the provincial government was looking into the possibility of such a ban, while reports show that the United Kingdom is exploring similar policies. Some people have criticized the proposal, however, saying that it disproportionately punishes those whose driving may have not even been impaired by having it on their criminal record for anything above no alcohol in the bloodstream. However, this must be balanced against the clear need for fewer alcohol related crashes among youth. So, we have to ask ourselves whether the repercussions are proportionate to the problem. This is where we will find our answer, though there is no guarantee that it is an easy one to find. What is clear is that regardless of the law, you can choose to drive with no alcohol in the bloodstream.

Police arrest man, blame road rage for deadly highway accident

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 | 11:37 PM ET Comments135Recommend138

CBC News

A man faces charges after what police describe as an incident of road rage that killed one man and closed a section of Canada's busiest highway on Tuesday morning.

A 55-year-old driver was thrown from his black SUV when it struck the centre median of Highway 401, according to police. He had swerved to avoid a red car in front that had unexpectedly thrown on the brakes.

Police said the two vehicles had been passing each other aggressively before the red car, believed to be a Pontiac Grand Am or Grand Prix, made a final pass and slammed on its brakes.

"Given the pattern of behaviour [reported by witnesses], this was not inadvertent," said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Cam Woolley.

The SUV "barrel rolled" upon contact with the median, sending the driver flying from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Woolley said. The driver of the Pontiac did not stop, according to witnesses.

Before the accident, the two vehicles were seen speeding on the James Snow Parkway in the Milton area before joining the Toronto-bound lanes of Highway 401, police said.

"It's clear to us there was definitely some interaction between those two vehicles that was less than friendly," said Staff Sgt. Scott Lawson.

"[But] at this point we're not giving out any concrete details other than to say there was road rage taking place."

Wayne Windsor, a 39-year-old Milton, Ont., has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and failing to remain causing death.

The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at James Snow Parkway were closed until 11 a.m. while police conducted their investigation.

The crash spoken of in this article speaks to the clear distraction that is anger when driving. The crash was avoidable, and yet took a life. This news is very frustrating. Take stock to pull over and let other people pass if they are engaging in a similar road rage battle with you, it can save your life!

As promised, more tools for running a successful NSAIDD Day event are being posted on the blog! This time, we have information on how to run an effective meeting, courtesy of resources on the Sauk Valley Community College’s Website. Here are their tips, which you can use to make your NSAIDD Day event planning a breeze!

How to Run a Meeting
1. Have a purpose for holding the meeting.
2. Identify your specific objectives.
3. Have an enthusiastic attitude.
4. Arrange the room so everyone can be seen and heard.
5. Develop an introduction which includes:
statement of objectives
roles and responsibilities of participants
introduce special guests, new members, etc.
opening questions to start discussion
6. Develop and follow an agenda which includes:
minutes of the previous meeting
standing and special committee reports
new and old business reports
announcements/correspondence
7. Encourage all members to participate
always call individuals by name
redirect questions to the group
8. Be conscious of time.
9. Maintain control of the meeting.
10. Final four steps of the meeting:
review all important decisions made
restate all assignments and completion dates
set a time and place for the next meeting
thank participants for attendance and participation

Hi everyone.

For a great follow-up to the last blog post on the subject of the recent legislation concerning driving while under the influence on drugs, check out this conversation on CTV between members of the Ontario community:
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080627/talkback_toronto_20080627/20080630/?hub=TorontoNewHome