New Canadian Launches Business Aims to Keep Nova Scotia Safer on Roads – Halifax | The Canadian News

A new Canadian hopes to turn a tragic life experience into an opportunity to make the roads in his new home province safer.

“I had a friend who died in a driving accident with driving problems, and I was looking at it from all perspectives, and thinking, ‘What could prevent that?’” Ivan Veselov said.

Nearly three years ago, Veselov immigrated to Nova Scotia from Russia and decided to start his new chapter of life with a business venture based on reducing road tragedies like the one that happened to his friend.

“I came up with the idea that if he had a chance to have someone drive him, that could possibly save his life and the well-being of his family,” he said.

That’s when he came up with a business idea called Pass The Keys Driving Services Inc., which gives people the option to get home safely from a night out without having to leave their vehicle behind.

“A driver comes home, we will drive his vehicle to a bar, or a restaurant, or from bar to bar, and he keeps the car and then drives it home,” Veselov said.

He says another service is designed for people who are already out and about and end up too disabled to drive home.

“A team of two drivers will come to the place where you are, we will take you and your car back home,” he said.

In October, the Halifax Regional Police charged 21 people with drunk driving. Police indicate that 13 drivers were at least twice over the legal limit.

Veselov hopes his driving service will encourage people to consider safer transportation options than getting behind the wheel while drunk.

“I think handing over the keys is the right thing to do when you’re disabled and thinking about driving,” he said.

Veselov has a list of drivers who are also new Canadians and says safety also comes into effect through his selection process.

“They must have at least three years of full driving experience, a clean driver’s summary, criminal background check, and child abuse record check. Therefore, they are fully protected and confident on the road, ”he said.