Citizens enlisted in fight for safe roads; Campaign will urge motorists to call 911 on drunk drivers
By Courtney Whalen
Packet & Times
March 27, 2008

One might say it's a sign of the times.

The County of Simcoe will begin encouraging motorists to report suspected impaired drivers with the launch of the "Safe Roads... Your Call" campaign.

A partnership between the county, the Barrie/Simcoe chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), RIDE 24/7 and area police, the program will involve 150 signs being posted on county roads.

MADD Barrie/Simcoe pre- sident Jason Larkin said while the program should see active participation from the public, the signs will also serve as a warning to impaired drivers.

"They'll know it's not just the police looking for them; it's also the guy in the car next to you, the family in the car behind you, and even the tow truck driver," he said.

A similar program started in York Region in June 2007. Since then, York Regional Police have received more than 1,500 calls from citizens, resulting in 200 arrests.

Larkin has seen the results of dialling 911 first-hand. Last weekend, while driving north on Highway 400, he noticed a car ahead of him being driven erratically.

He called 911 and a police officer caught up and pulled the vehicle over. Larkin said the driver was issued a 12-hour licence suspension.

"The more eyes on the road the better," he said of the program.

It's a sentiment echoed by Sgt. Steven Jacobs of Mnjikaning Police Services.

"It is an extremely valuable tool, especially during the summer months when our roads are so busy," he said.

Simcoe County council approved the program at its March 25 meeting. "Everybody is certainly supportive of stopping impaired driving, so it's a good fit for the county," said county communications manager Allan Greenwood.

The county's share of the cost to implement the program will be between $5,000 and $8,000, mostly for the installation of signs. RIDE 24/7 and the Barrie/Simcoe chapter of MADD are also contributing toward the cost of purchasing signs.

Greenwood said the hope is that other municipalities will look at installing signs on local roads, as well.

Signs will start to go up in the next few weeks. The official launch of the program in Simcoe County is set for April 22.

Also see -

MADD Canada's Campaign 911