Ribbon effort ready
The Lindsay Post
October 28, 2008

KAWARTHA LAKES-MADD Kawartha Lakes will soon be asking area residents to 'Tie one on' for safety.

November 5 marks the launch of the chapter's Project Red Ribbon 'Tie one on for safety' campaign, an effort designed to combat impaired driving during the holidays.

Working with area businesses, the MADD chapter is asking residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes to tie a MADD Canada ribbon to their antenna, side mirror, or other visible location on their vehicle and/or key chain.

The MADD ribbon is a symbol of a person's commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year. The ribbon also serves as a reminder to other motorists to drive sober.

Every day, in Canada, nearly four Canadians are killed and nearly 190 more are injured due to alcohol and drug-related crashes, according to the organization, which is working to change those numbers.

"Each and every one of us who drives on our roads has a responsibility to keep our roads safe. Drinking and driving literally shatters lives. Many good people would still be alive and many would not be suffering with physical and mental impairments if people would get the message that they should not mix alcohol or drugs with driving any motorized vehicle," stated Carol Ryan, president of the local chapter. She lost her husband Terry, a Durham Region police officer, in an alcohol-related crash.

" So please listen when MADD and others say that you should not drive while impaired -make plans for a ride home if you plan to drink alcohol," she said.

The campaign will take place across Canada until the end of the first week of January.