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Keeping the roads safe this holiday season

Cold Lake's Operation Red Nose in Cold Lake is gearing up to help keep the roads safe again this holiday season. For the eighth year, the Cold Lake Victim Services Unit (VSU) is launching the program Nov.
Operation Red Nose has started for another holiday season in Cold Lake, giving residents a safe ride home after a night out.
Operation Red Nose will kick-off at the end of November.

Cold Lake's Operation Red Nose in Cold Lake is gearing up to help keep the roads safe again this holiday season.

For the eighth year, the Cold Lake Victim Services Unit (VSU) is launching the program Nov. 30 for Cold lake residents looking for a lift home.

"We pick up people that have been drinking, or are simply under the influence, or don't feel fit to drive their own vehicle," explained VSU program coordinator Dave Zimmerman.

Operation Red Nose runs throughout December. This year, volunteers will be offering rides from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Monday, Dec. 31.

Zimmerman said each evening aims to have five groups of volunteers answering calls. Two dispatchers will be manning the phone lines, and teams of three are used for pick-ups.

"We have a driver and navigator that drives their vehicle, and we have an escort vehicle that follows them. They drop (the passenger) and their vehicle home safe," Zimmerman detailed.

The program is completely free, however donations are accepted for the Cold Lake VSU.

Volunteer Dustin Foulds, who's going into his fifth year with the program, has had a lot of fun being part of the team. He encourages anyone interested to get involved this season.

"Ninety-five per cent of the time, people that call you are extremely happy that the service exists, and are ecstatic that you're coming to pick them up to and bring their vehicle back," he said.

Offering residents an alternative ride home has been the top priority for Zimmerman, who said there's been a significant increase in intoxicated drivers within the last few years.

"One of the things I've been very proud of is keeping impaired drivers off the road. Back in 2014, there was around 30 impaired drivers that were arrested and charged in the Cold Lake area (over the holiday season.) Since Operation Red Nose, during those key months at the end of November and December, it's been reduced. Last year, they had four," he exclaimed.

After organizing the program for eight years, VSU is stepping down and encouraging another group in the community to take the reins.

"Cold Lake VSU is willing to work with and mentor any other agency or group who can officially take over the chapter in 2019," Zimmerman expressed.

The growth in popularity in the program has the unit taking a step back, as their main focus is helping victims of crime and tragedy.

As an active member in the community, Foulds is also going to reach out to groups he's involved in to make sure Operation Red Nose stays alive in Cold Lake.

For more information, to get involved, or to find out how your organization can take over the local Operation Red Nose program, call 780-812-5880 or visit operationrednosecoldlake.com.

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