May 14 , 2001

SGI Safety Squad Hits The Road

Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) Minister Maynard Sonntag today announced a new initiative to promote traffic safety awareness in communities across the province.

The SGI Safety Squad consists of two teams of summer students who will travel all over Saskatchewan. For the remainder of the school year, the safety squad will visit schools around the province. During the summer, they will travel to community events such as fairs, exhibitions and powwows. They'll be educating children and youth about traffic safety in a fun and creative way, covering topics such as bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, seat belts, drinking and driving and more.

For adults, the safety squad will also be offering child safety seat education at community events and SGI CANADA brokerages across the province. Child safety seat education continues to be an important issue as about half of Saskatchewan children age eight and under are not properly restrained in vehicles.

"Traffic safety education has always been a priority at SGI," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "This is a terrific opportunity to reach people in communities all over the province."

The SGI Safety Squad made its debut at St. Peter Elementary School in Regina today. The safety squad presented the multimedia production, ‘Freeway,' which focuses on encouraging students to step back and reconsider following the crowd when it involves risky behaviour. Younger students were treated to interactive games designed to teach them about road safety, and the safety squad also demonstrated a child safety seat check.

"We're very pleased to host the safety squad here today," St. Peter Elementary Principal Steve Wihak said. "The younger kids loved the games and the interactive kiosk, and the older students enjoyed the multimedia presentation. But most importantly, they learned more about how to stay safe."

Anyone interested in hosting the safety squad at an event should contact Deb Roussel at (306) 751-1237.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

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