MADD getting its message out
BY CHRIS HALL
durhamregion.com
Nov 10, 2008

SCUGOG -- It's a message that never gets old for Troy Bramley, and one that he repeated over and over again while making the rounds across Durham last week.

Simply, if you pound back a few drinks or get stoned with some friends, don't get behind the wheel.

It's a request that Mr. Bramley, vice-president of Durham's Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter, along with the help of two assistants, brought to Port Perry during the early afternoon hours of Nov. 4 as his chapter made its annual whirlwind trek across the region to spread their message.

"We're asking people not to drive impaired, not to mix drinking or drugs and driving," said Mr. Bramley during the kick-off for MADD's 'Red Ribbon' project.

As part of the effort, MADD is asking residents to tie a MADD Canada ribbon to their vehicle's antenna, side-mirror or other visible location. The ribbon, say MADD officials in a release, "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."

And, not only does the ribbon raise awareness about the need for motorists to not drive impaired, but it also serves as a fundraiser for local MADD chapters. Ribbons are available in businesses across the region for a donation.

The continued push to get the message out, added Mr. Bramley, is "something we have to get out there until everyone gets it. We're going to keep putting that message out there."

And, he quickly added, "people are listening."

According to MADD officials, an average of four Canadians are killed and 196 are injured each day due to alcohol- and drug-related crashes.

In Durham, where the local MADD chapter has been in place since 2000, the 'Red Ribbon' campaign will run from the start of November until the end of the first week of January.

MADD Canada ribbons, or boxes of them to place on business counters, are available by calling 905-576-7473 or e-mail madddurham@interlinks.net.