October 17, 2025, Nanaimo, BC – The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), in partnership with the Nanaimo RCMP and with the generous support of Mosaic Forest Management, is bringing its award-winning Drop It And Drive® (DIAD) youth road safety education program to Nanaimo-area schools during Canadian Youth Road Safety Week (October 20-26, 2025). Through several interactive workshops, Nanaimo students in grades 4 to 12 are taking a hands-on look at the science behind distraction. This community outreach initiative launched in May 2025 with a DIAD workshop for nearly 300 of Nanaimo’s youngest road users at McGirr Elementary School.
Karen Bowman, DIAD founder and TIRF’s Director, Communications & Programs, and her daughter Kylee Bowman, TIRF’s Lead Youth Advisor Program (TIRF YAP; tirf.ca/projects/tirf-yap) and a local award-winning artist, have teamed up with the Nanaimo RCMP Youth Section to deliver school workshops. Alongside teachers, students are learning to unpack risky behaviours to understand the reasons behind them and connecting the dots between choices and outcomes using real stories and research. Together, they’ll explore road safety risks, behind the wheel, as pedestrians, and while cycling or e-biking, and learn practical tools, tips, and strategies to help keep themselves and others safe.
Launched in 2010, the program focuses on preventing distraction-related road user injuries and deaths by engaging students in science-based, age-appropriate discussions about the risks of distraction, personal responsibility, and real-world consequences. To date, DIAD has presented to over 65,000 youth and workers.
The DIAD approach includes:
- Science-backed information about brain function and the myth of multi-tasking.
- Real stories & practical examples to personalize the message.
- Interactive exercises to reinforce key concepts.
- Positive messaging to motivate behaviour change.
- Open discussion about choices, right-of-way vs. self-preservation, and peer influence.
Autumn 2025 school workshop dates:
- Dover Bay Secondary School
Tuesday, October 21st (two workshops for grades 11 & 12; approx. 600 students)
Co-presented with Jacklin Rapton & Cst. Brennan Hahn, Nanaimo RCMP Youth Section - John Barsby Secondary School
Thursday, October 23rd (one workshop for grades 10, 11 & 12; approx. 450 students)
Co-presented with Kriss Baker, Cst. Naomi Kojima & Cpl. Jordan Mullen, Nanaimo RCMP Youth Section - Cedar Community Secondary School
November 2025 (Dates TBC)
By the end of each workshop, students will leave feeling more confident, informed, and ready to speak up and make safer choices, for themselves, their friends, and their families.
Media opportunities:
Interview opportunities with presenters and students may be available. Please contact us in advance to coordinate attendance, as we work closely with schools to ensure all necessary privacy and safety protocols are followed and appropriate permissions are in place for any media presence. TIRF presenter bios are available here: https://tirf.ca/diad/diad-team
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Karen Bowman, Director, Communications & Programs
Traffic Injury Research Foundation
karenb@tirf.ca | 250-797-0833 (direct/cel) | 613 238-5235 (office) | 1 877 238-5235 (toll-free)
www.tirf.ca | www.DropItAndDrive.com / www.diad.tirf.ca
R/Cst Gary O’Brien, Media Relations Officer
Nanaimo RCMP
Office: 250-734-5445 | Cell: 250-713-0701 | Email: gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: nanaimo.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
