Time to tie one on - MADD Red Ribbon Campaign
By Burlington Post Editorial
Editorial
Nov 12, 2008

July 20, 2007: A Milton man has been charged with drunk driving after an elderly couple from Rockwood was killed last night when their vehicle was pushed into the path of a GO train.

July 16, 2008: Police are reminding motorists to ensure children are safely secured after a convertible with a seven-year-old passenger flipped several times Saturday night.

A 46-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with impaired driving, refusing a breathalyser test, dangerous driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

July 30, 2008: Burlington OPP are crediting alert motorists with averting a tragedy following a high-speed dangerous driving incident on the QEW late last week. Police say callers estimated a driver was exceeding 160 km-h on the Toronto-bound QEW ... A 61-year-old Brampton man was charged with impaired driving, refusing to provide breath samples and dangerous driving.

Sept. 14, 2008: A Burlington man faces six impaired drivingrelated charges after a truck driving the wrong direction on Hwy. 403 struck a car head-on early Friday morning, killing both of its occupants.

Oct. 15, 2008: A motorist was charged with impaired driving after an eastbound vehicle rolled over on Hwy. 403 near Brant Street on Sunday about 9:30 p. m.

•••

It’s an all too familiar refrain.

Drinking plus driving equals tragedy and jail time — that is, assuming you live.

Amy Tiberia knows first-hand the toll impaired driving can have on innocent bystanders.

In late 1994, a drunk driver caused an accident that has left deep wounds — both physical and psychological — on the Oakville family.

Amy’s son Raymond, 3 1/2 years old at the time of the crash, sustained a severe brain injury. He was in a coma for 16 days. He had to fight for his life and then relearn all that he knew.

Today, the teen still has memory trouble and can’t retain much information.

“From the second it happened almost 14 years ago, the choice one person made to drink and drive forever altered the path of our lives,” said Raymond’s mom.

It was appropriate that Amy and Raymond last week kicked off this year’s Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Halton’s Red Ribbon campaign in an effort to drive home the real damage impaired drivers inflict.

Sadly, the message isn’t getting through.

There already have been more than 200 drinking and drivingrelated charges and four related deaths in Halton this year.

In all of last year there were fewer than 200 alcohol-related charges, but eight deaths.

As the holiday season approaches, the Tiberias are hopeful that Halton motorists will tie on a red ribbon to remind others that drinking and driving ruins the lives of everyone involved.