The campaign against impaired driving is ongoing and that continued last week with the launch of “Project Red Ribbon.”
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held its annual kickoff for the Project Red Ribbon campaign with MADD Windsor-Essex community leader Chaouki Hamka stating that all police services in the region along with fire and Essex-Windsor EMS are part of the campaign. The launch was held in Essex this year, with Essex OPP and fire joining EMS and MADD.
The campaign was launched in front of the Essex Centre Sports Complex last Wednesday afternoon.
“Year after year, we join forces with our local emergency personnel,” said Hamka.
Hamka said the risk of impaired driving increases during the holiday season. He said they wanted to reach out to county communities to warn people about the dangers of getting behind the wheel if they are impaired by either alcohol or drugs.
Habits were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, where people turned to alcohol, cannabis or drugs when they couldn’t go out. Now that the pandemic is over, those habits are maintained by people.
“Some habits have unfortunately not changed,” said Hamka.
Windsor-Essex County has become the fourth worst area in the province for impaired driving, he said. Police are doing their part with enforcement, but Hamka said there are those making bad decisions.
“I shouldn’t have to beg,” he said. “Please don’t drive impaired.”
Numbers are rising of impaired driving charges, he said.
“It’s unfortunate that people are making selfish choices to drive impaired,” he said. “It’s something we need to stop.”
Technological advances in vehicles will help prevent impaired driving, he predicted, but “until then, we have to rely on each other.” Impaired driving is dangerous and illegal, Hamka reminded the public, and not worth it.
“It’s selfish.”
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy agreed that impaired driving has to stop and that her municipality is stepping up education on the subject and also looking at waiving taxi fees.
“We’re all on the same page,” said Bondy.
Bondy called for people to support the Project Red Ribbon campaign. Red ribbons can be purchased by donation at area police stations and tied to vehicles, reminding people not to drink and drive.
“The consequences can be deadly,” she said.
OPP Superintendent Mark Loucas said police have zero tolerance for impaired driving and that they work with policing partners in the area to keep impaired drivers off the road.
“My message is very clear – if you drink, don’t drive,” said Loucas.
RIDE programs step up around the holiday season and they work with LaSalle and Windsor police to put them on.
“Project Red Ribbon” kicked off by MADD Windsor-Essex
By Ron Giofu
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