OSAID Urges Youth to Take a Stand Against Impaired Driving on May 15
Ontario schools and communities are encouraged to take part in SAID Day on May 15, 2025, promoting safe, sober driving ahead of the May long weekend. Learn how local youth are getting involved.
As communities across Ontario prepare for the Victoria Day long weekend, educators, students, and local organizations are being called to take part in SAID Day (Students Against Impaired Driving Day) on May 15, 2025. It’s a province-wide initiative aimed at reducing impaired and distracted driving.
Coordinated by Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID), SAID Day serves as a reminder of the life-altering consequences of driving under the influence.
The campaign encourages youth to speak up, get involved, and help change the culture around impaired driving.
“The long weekend in May is coming. Please send a positive message to never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver,” said Matt Evans, Provincial Coordinator for OSAID.
The initiative is designed to be simple but effective. Students and schools are encouraged to host events, share safety messages, and use promotional kits provided by OSAID to raise awareness in their communities.
Decline in School-Based Programs Raises Concern
While some schools and student councils across Ontario are actively participating, the number of peer-led OSAID groups has decreased significantly over the past decade. Evans voiced concern about the potential long-term impact of this trend, warning that reduced youth engagement could lead to a resurgence in impaired driving incidents.
“Out of sight, out of mind is not an effective approach to health promotion or injury prevention,” he noted.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Grey-Bruce was a leader in student engagement on the issue, boasting the highest concentration of OSAID groups in the province. Entire busloads of students from the region would attend OSAID’s annual conference in Toronto—thanks largely to a network of dedicated educators, many of whom have since retired.
Local Participation Varies
This year, a handful of area schools are stepping up. In Lions Head, home to one of OSAID’s Provincial Youth Advisory Team members, students are organizing a week of activities around SAID Day.
WDSS in Walkerton and Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton have both received SAID Day promotional kits and are planning events.
In Owen Sound, however, there are currently no schools formally participating in SAID Day activities. Still, a large promotional display has been set up at the Owen Sound YMCA, offering free stickers and educational materials to the public.
The SAID Day kits include free T-shirts, mini-posters, and stickers to help participants spread awareness.
How to Get Involved
OSAID is encouraging anyone, students, educators, or community groups, interested in participating or starting a local group to reach out. More information and contact details can be found at www.osaid.ca, or by emailing info@osaid.ca.