A couple of weeks ago, I was working on an article about Operation Red Nose in Cold Lake, and learned about what the initiative offers to residents of the city.
While I didn’t know much about the project before I spoke to everyone involved, I was happy to learn what the program had been offering to the area over the years.
Robynne Henry The Henry Hype
While drinking and driving is an issue year-round, it seems to increase around the holidays.
According to MADD Canada, over 55 per cent of deaths that occurred during a crash had one driver that tested positive for being under the influence of alcohol.
No one deserves to lose a loved one because someone got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have.
Back home, I remember hearing about a number of designated driver programs provided to the area to offer people a safe way home throughout the year.
When I got my license, I usually volunteered to be the designed driver and made sure friends knew I could pick them up if things ever got out of hand for them.
I remember taking the keys away from one friend when he tried to leave a party, and repeatedly giving lectures to friends about the dangers.
While I was seen as a bit of a buzzkill, I wasn’t willing to let people I cared about risk driving home while impaired.
I didn’t want to think about their families grieving the loss of their child, or the kind of damage they could cause if things went wrong for them.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear how successful Operation Red Nose has been in Cold Lake, and how the community has responded to it.
The initiative has significantly reduced the number of drunk driving incidents locally, which shows how successful these programs can be.
While there’s very little public transit available to the area around New Years and Christmas, I wondered if there were any programs to get people home safe.
This upcoming holiday season, please figure out a way home before going out with friends at parties or bars.
Crash on a friend’s couch, call a cab, or arrange a ride with a designated driver.
Don’t make the bad decision that could affect yourself, or others and their families.
It’s not worth the damage it could cause, and there’s so many options to ensure you get where you need to go.
Don’t drink and drive this holiday season, or anytime really.
