NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin, Safe Kids Canada & FedEx Express Canada launch Canada's Pace Car Drivers

Visit our Facebook page for a chance to win one of 10 Denny Hamlin Autographed Die Cast Cars

TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Did you know that in Canada more than 14,000 pedestrians are injured every year, including 1,500 children - many of these by unsafe drivers? That's why NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, Safe Kids Canada and FedEx Express Canada are asking Canadians to take the Pace Car pledge to be a safe and responsible driver and "like" Canada's Pace Car Drivers Facebook page

"On the track, speed is an important part of winning races - but it can have drastic consequences on the streets in our communities," says NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. "You can help make a difference.  Take the Pace Car pledge to be a safe and responsible driver, and help make your roads safer for all Canadians."

Many Pace Cars calm traffic throughout a neighbourhood. The more people who participate, the better it works.  By taking the pledge, you agree to become a Pace Car driver by caring for others, driving with courtesy and safety in mind. You agree to:

• Recognize that your car use impacts the livability of other residents' streets, just as theirs impacts yours.
• Drive the posted speed limit on all roads, stop to let pedestrians cross, and be courteous to bicyclists and other road users.
• Minimize your car use by using active transportation (walking, cycling, etc.), transit and car-pooling.

It is important that Pace Cars be easily identifiable as a Pace Car so motorists behind know why the person is driving within the speed limit. This is why drivers display a Pace Car window cling and/or bumper sticker on the back of their vehicle.  Order your FREE window cling and bumper sticker from Safe Kids Canada.

"Unfortunately, speeding is common in Canada. About 2.7 million Canadians admit to habitually driving well over the speed limit; and over two million admit to frequently accelerating to get through a traffic light, according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation," says Pamela Fuselli, executive director, Safe Kids Canada. "We are asking drivers to take the Pace Car pledge and reduce their speed - they could save a life or prevent a child from experiencing a life-altering injury."

CONTEST

People are invited to take the Pace Car pledge and join the discussion on how they pledge to drive safely in their community. Those who 'like' the Canada's Pace Car Drivers Facebook page will be entered into a random draw to win one of 10 Denny Hamlin autographed die cast cars. Contest conditions and rules are posted on Canada's Pace Car Drivers Contest page.

"Denny Hamlin®", & "#11®" licensed under authority of Joe Gibbs Racing, Huntersville, NC.  Toyota trademarks used with permission."

About Safe Kids Canada

Safe Kids Canada's mission is to lead and inspire a culture of safety across the country in order to reduce unintentional injuries, the leading cause of death among children and youth in Canada. As a national leader, Safe Kids Canada uses a collaborative and innovative approach to develop partnerships, conduct research, raise awareness and advocate in order to prevent serious injuries among children, youth and their families. Our vision is Fewer Injuries. Healthier Children. A Safer Canada. Safe Kids Canada is the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children. www.safekidscanada.ca.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $40 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.ca.

SOURCE Safe Kids Canada

Video with caption: "Denny Hamlin invites Canadians to take the Pace Car pledge". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111124_C9051_VIDEO_EN_7188.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111124_C9051_PHOTO_EN_7188.jpg&clientName=Safe%20Kids%20Canada&caption=Denny%20Hamlin%20invites%20Canadians%20to%20take%20the%20Pace%20Car%20pledge&title=Denny%20Hamlin%20invites%20Canadians%20to%20take%20the%20Pace%20Car%20pledge

Image with caption: "NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, Safe Kids Canada and FedEx Express Canada want you to take the Pace Car pledge to be a safe and responsible driver and like our Facebook page (CNW Group/Safe Kids Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111124_C9051_PHOTO_EN_7189.jpg

Image with caption: "Safe Kids Canada logo (CNW Group/Safe Kids Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111124_C9051_PHOTO_EN_7209.jpg

Image with caption: "FedEx Express Canada logo (CNW Group/Safe Kids Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111124_C9051_PHOTO_EN_7208.jpg