/R E P E A T -- MADD Canada and Uber Canada fight impaired driving with launch of joint fundraising and awareness initiative/

TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) and Uber Canada today announced a joint fundraising and awareness initiative promoting safe and sober driving during the holiday season.

At a driver appreciation event in Toronto, Uber Canada and MADD Canada announced their holiday goal of raising up to $100,000 to help put a stop to impaired driving. Under this program, Uber riders will have the the opportunity to thank their drivers who dedicate their time to getting people home safely.

The campaign, which runs through December, will have Uber Canada make a $1 donation to MADD Canada for every "Compliment" badge riders send via the app to their driver, up to a total donation of $100,000. 100,000 thank you's goes a long way in drawing awareness and helping recognize the important work that drivers do and how they provide a safe transportation alternative. 

"We're excited to give our riders the opportunity to show their appreciation to drivers and help stop impaired driving by supporting MADD Canada," said Adam Blinick, Director of Public Policy and Communications for Uber Canada. "As the official designated driving app of MADD Canada, we're committed to fighting impaired driving and helping Canadians make smart transportation decisions as they celebrate the holiday season."

As part of the initiative, MADD Canada also unveiled its latest public service announcement, which can be viewed at t.uber.com/maddpsa. With its overarching message—No mom should have motherhood taken away—this new PSA encourages viewers to consider how their decisions have a lasting impact on those closest to them. MADD Canada reminds viewers to make a responsible choice.

"This PSA shows the profound impacts that choosing to drive impaired can have on the ones we care about," said MADD Canada Chief Executive Officer Andrew Murie. "Having safe, convenient and accessible transportation options is critical, which is why we are so excited to partner with Uber to help reinforce this important message."

The holidays fundraising and awareness initiative is part of a long-term partnership between MADD Canada and Uber Canada announced earlier in February 2017 with a common mandate to drive awareness and raise funds to help prevent impaired driving. Both organizations have also focused efforts to support regulatory reform that promotes greater access to ridesharing as a service that can meaningfully contribute to road safety.

Canada leads all nations with more than a third of road fatalities involving alcohol impairment. Crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are the leading criminal cause of death in Canada, with an average of four Canadians killed in crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs every day (see this link for additional information).

According to MADD Canada, most impaired driving incidents happen at night and during the weekend. In cities where Uber operates in Canada, rush hour for ridesharing is not when people are getting to and from work, but late at night when bars close.

For more information on the partnership between MADD Canada and Uber, visit: t.uber.com/maddcanada.

SOURCE Uber Canada Inc.