The holiday season is just around the corner and Christmas parties are already being planned, and that also means that Mothers Against Drunk Driving is launching their campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving in Calgary.
MADD launched their campaign in the City of Calgary along with the support of the Calgary Police Service, RCMP, Calgary Fire Department, Calgary EMS, Highway Patrol, and Allstate Insurance.
From November 1, 2013, to January 6, 2014, MADD Canada chapters, community leaders, volunteers, and other supporters will be out distributing millions of red ribbons to signify their pledge about the importance of driving sober.
"Impaired driving is not an accident, it is a decision someone makes," said MADD Canada National President Angeliki Souranis in a release. "With every red ribbon tied to a car, purse, backpack or key chain, that is one more person who is standing up and making a commitment to never drive impaired."
Project Red Ribbon targets the busiest days of the holiday season, Christmas and New Years, because of the high risk of impaired driving.
This is the 26th year the organization will be running the event.
Terry Hughes, president of the Calgary Chapter, says that all the officials at the event opening would rather not be there. "We all have better things to do than remind the public that drinking and driving is not acceptable, but here we are, 26 years later, once again, reminding everyone to make safe and sensible choices this holiday season."
Hughes says that for every impaired driver, there is a loved one who knows they are going to drive drunk. "It is everyone's responsibility to take the keys and to help them get home in one piece."
Impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death in Canada.
MADD says that, on average, four people are killed and 174 people injured in connection with impaired driving nation-wide.
