MADD campaigns against drunk driving
By James Foster
Times & Transcript
November 15th, 2008

Cpl. Mike Gaudet, Codiac RCMP, and Chris Nagle, president of MADD South Eastern N.B., were on hand yesterday to officially launch Project Red Ribbon 2008. Impaired driving is no accident, it is 100 per cent preventable, and Project Red Ribbon helps people make sure that they do not drink and drive.
Part of that preventive effort is MADD's annual Project Red Ribbon, which kicked off yesterday in Moncton and is designed to remind drivers not to hit the road after they hit the Christmas and New Year's parties.

"It's a consciousness-raising exercise," says Chris Nagle, MADD Southeastern N.B. Chapter president. "It's to get people thinking at this time of year to avoid drinking and driving."

The campaign involves the distribution of red ribbons that supporters attach to their vehicles, usually, but not necessarily on an antenna. The red ribbon nudges anyone who sees it to remember not to drive if they've been drinking, and it reminds the person who put it on their car of their commitment not to drive after drinking.

"It's not only for them, but also for the innocent victims they might maim or kill," Nagle says.

If you don't want to attach the red ribbon to your vehicle, you can also put it on your key chain, or on a personal item like your purse, briefcase or backpack as your show of solidarity with victims of drinking drivers and display your personal commitment not to drive after quaffing a few.

Moncton deputy mayor Pierre Boudreau praised the campaign as a worthy effort.

"MADD has done an amazing job over the past several decades in reducing the number of injuries and fatalities," Boudreau told the launch of the campaign, singling out young drivers as being particularly in tune with the "don't drink and drive" message, compared to generations ago when driving after drinking wasn't considered such a big deal.

Boudreau urged all drivers to donate to the campaign and to proudly display their red ribbons.

"The work that they do is truly invaluable. They are saving lives."

Cpl. Mike Gaudet of the Codiac Regional RCMP has been involved with the chapter for the past three years.

"We throw our support behind these types of initiatives," Gaudet said.

Having witnessed both the good works of MADD in the Metro Moncton area as well as the shattered families left in the wake of drunken driving, "we hope you'll take that into consideration before taking to the roads after drinking alcohol," Gaudet said.

Millions of red ribbons will be distributed throughout Canada during the campaign this year. You can also display the red ribbon year round to show your commitment to safe and sober driving.

You can get your red ribbon either through donating online to the region's MADD chapter at http://madd.ca/senb/pages/project-red-ribbon.php, by visiting one of their sponsors' outlets such as your local Allstate Insurance office, by picking one up wherever you see the MADD donation-collection boxes, or by contacting the chapter at 386-9815.

Dennis Madden of Allstate Insurance urged Metro Moncton drivers to get on board with the drive-sober, drive-safe initiative.

"It isn't just the right thing to do," Madden said, "it's the only thing to do."