The R.I.D.E. CHECKS Program (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) originated in 1977 in Etobicoke, Ontario, as a community policing effort to address public concern about drinking and driving.

Since that time the program has expanded across Ontario. Spot checks are operated throughout the year with special emphasis during the festive and summer holidays.

State Farm is committed to the community we live and work in and has been a proud sponsor of this highly effective traffic safety program. For many years State Farm has been committed to safety education and has offered several programs to assist teachers, police and fire departments in providing lessons to children.

State Farm® is a proud title sponsor of R.I.D.E. CHECKS. The program runs during the holiday season designed to heighten awareness of every individual's responsibility to say NO to drinking and driving.

Please check out some interesting facts on drinking and driving supplied by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF).

Q. How many people are killed or injured in road crashes each year?

A. 2,889 people were killed and 199,337 were injured in road crashes in Canada during 2006 (the most recent year for which official statistics are available).

Source: Transport Canada - 2006 Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/tp-tp3322-2006-page1-587.htm

Q. For which age groups of young people are road crashes the leading cause of death?

A. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for persons age 5-24.

Source: TRIF, Public Health Agency of Canada, Child Injury division. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cyi-bej/2009/index-eng.php

Q. Are Canadians concerned about the problem of drinking and driving?

A. Yes. Eighty percent say they are very concerned or are extremely concerned about the problem.

Source: The Road Safety Monitor 2008: Drinking and Driving http://tirf.ca/publications/PDF_publications/rsm2008_dd-nat_web.pdf

State Farm’s mission is to help people manage their everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. On behalf of our State Farm agents and associates we thank you for not drinking and driving.