Designated driver: priceless
By Jeff Hayward
mykawartha.com
November 11, 2008

Case of beer: $35. Evening at the bar: $99. Designated driver: priceless.

That's the message members of the Durham Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) brought with them during the kickoff for its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign.

The campaign runs throughout Durham from November to the first week of January, explained Troy Bramley, campaign coordinator for the group.

"The red ribbon is to show awareness of impaired driving and is also one of our biggest fundraisers," said Mr. Bramley.

The organization is asking residents to tie a ribbon to their vehicle's antennae, side mirror or other visible location as 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."

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

The Durham chapter has been in existence since 2000 and Mr. Bramley said its message to not drink and drive is starting to hit home.

"We always see positive results, especially when we do our public speaking in schools and show the effects (of driving drunk)," he explained.

"Whenever we see a red ribbon on a car we know that shows that someone has been thinking about (the consequences)."

The proceeds from the sale of the ribbons is used for the group's educational programs.

"One hundred per cent of the funds go back to the chapter, we use (the money) for various things including multimedia presentations and other projects we do to get the awareness out there... we have to keep at the message, it's not just the drinking, it's the drugs."

Durham police also kickoff its festive RIDE program in November. Last year, the annual seven-week program, which runs from late November until early January, saw 113 drivers hit with impaired driving charges, topping the 101 who were arrested the previous year.

Area businesses wishing to receive a box of the red ribbons to collect donations for the advocate group can call MADD Durham Region Chapter at 1-905-576-7473.