MADD launches summer campaign
By Monique Chiasson
The Truro Daily News
July 12, 2007

TRURO – It was an outdoor, evening party with plenty of drinking.

Nicole McKinnon noticed one person was obliviously intoxicated but Nicole chose not to report the incident as the young man got into his car.

“At the time I didn’t know what to do. I did tell others about it, but I didn’t call the police. I was a teenager and trying to fit in.”

Fast forward four years and Nicole is now taking an active role in preventing drunk driving.

“Looking back I wish I had the guts to do something about that,” said the youth representative for MADD Cobequid. Nicole is helping the organization with its first local 911 Campaign.

“We are urging people to call 911 if they suspect an impaired driver. A lot of people don’t know what to do or are too scared to call thinking they may get into trouble,” said Nicole. “They won’t ... and it helps the police because they can’t be everywhere. If people know other people are calling about suspected impaired drivers, it might deter them from (drunk driving.)”

The summer campaign also has businesses in the area displaying posters, and bookmarks stating the 10 possible signs of an impaired driver. Red alert notices and business signs are also popping up reminding people of the consequences of impaired driving.

“Crash rates are particularly high during summer months. A lot of people think crashes occur mostly at Christmas, New Years (and) in the winter but the summer is a big time for driving and driving because of vacations,” said Nicole.


1. Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
2. Drifting in and out of lanes
3. Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
4. Making exceptionally wide turns
5. Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
6. Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
7. Disregarding signals and lights
8. Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
9. Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
10. Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather

* Did you know? Four people are killed and 187 injured every day in Canada due to drunk driving.
* Information provided by MADD Cobequid and MADD Canada

Also see...

MADD Canada's Campaign 911