Red candles accompany red ribbons in this year's MADD campaign
By Janet Richards
The Community Press
November 24, 2008

Belleville – In 1992 Sandy and Roy Gordon lost their son Andy in an accident involving an impaired driver.

Andy was an OPP officer with the Madoc detachment, where Roy began his own OPP career.

“Sandy was so pleased when Andy was transferred to Madoc where I spent my first eight years,” Roy said.

His son's case is proof it doesn't matter how skilled you are, he said, there are times when there's nothing you can do.

Sandy said it took about five years before she and her husband began to contribute to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers). Roy is now a board member and the couple were on hand Nov. 21 to help launch of the Quinte chapter's participation in the national Project Red Ribbon campaign.

The local group has new banners to promote the importance of driving sober, including one that says you're stupid if you drink and drive.

“And you are,” said Roy. “You're smart if you don't drink and drive.”

Another of the banners encourages the use of designated drivers, something Sandy said she believes younger people have realized the importance of.

Roy said the current board of MADD Quinte is very open to suggestions and innovative ideas. The new banners, for example, are unique to the Quinte area.

MADD Quinte president Kerri Jianopoulos said impaired driving remains the number one criminal cause of death in Canada, with an average of four deaths and 196 injuries in alcohol-related crashes being recorded each day.

“These statistics are unacceptable,” said Jianopoulos at the launch of what she called the group's “most visible public awareness campaign.”

Jianopoulos encouraged people to tie the MADD red ribbon on their vehicle, car keys, backpack or other personal item.

“In doing so you're making a personal commitment to drive sober and paying tribute to those who have been killed or injured in impaired driving crashes,” she said. “The red ribbon also serves as a constant reminder to others to drive safe and sober.”

This year the local chapter is also distributing red candles throughout the Quinte region and asking people to light them over the holiday season to remember those who have been killed or injured by impaired drivers.

Quinte West Mayor John Williams expressed his appreciation to MADD for the good work it has done in raising awareness about impaired driving.

“This time of year we bring awareness to it but of course it's important all year-long,” Williams said. “We want to make sure we keep everybody off the road that's been drinking.”

Kacie Geen of Allstate Insurance spoke on behalf of Allstate Canada, the title sponsor for the national Project Red Ribbon Campaign for more than 20 years.

“While it's small in size, the red ribbon carries a lot of weight,” Geen said. She said 42,000 red ribbons are being distributed directly to Allstate customers across Canada, representing a partnership between every driver on the road. For more information visit www.maddquinte.ca.