Cyclists target impaired driving; Crossing Canada in memory of drunk driving victims
By Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles
North Bay Nugget
July 2, 2007

Local News - Ian Chiasson's best friend was killed by a drunk driver three years ago on his way home from graduating as a paramedic in Cape Breton.

Chiasson said it wasn't until his life changed that he realized how often people die because of someone who has consumed too much alcohol.

"I was surprised to learn that this is happening everyday. It took my friend's passing to open my eyes," Chiasson said, during a brief stop at the North Bay Waterfront Sunday morning.

Chiasson's best friend Michael Maclean and Maclean's fiancee, Angela Smits, were killed May 14, 2004, when an impaired motorist crossed a highway's centre line and his vehicle collided with theirs.

Chiasson, who is moving to Ottawa in September for a teaching position, is on a cross-Canada cycling tour in their memory, as well as in the memory of all victims of drunk driving.

Chiasson has been joined by Dana Hamm of New Brunswick.

Started May 9

The cyclists started their tour May 9 in Victoria and hope to cross the finish line in Cape Breton sometime early August.

"We hope by our actions and what we're doing people will start standing up for what they believe in," Chiasson said.

"We're not doing this as a fundraiser, but more for awareness. People are stopping and turning their heads. The sign on the back of the trailer has also sparked interest and questions from people asking us what we're doing."

Hamm said the trip hasn't been too demanding physically, but mentally "it's getting exhausting.

"Ontario is such a large province. But once we get through it, I think we'll be OK," he said, adding the cyclists travel 100 to 150 kilometres a day.

When the Nipissing chapter of Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) heard about Chiasson and Hamm, it contacted its national office to express an interest in hosting the cyclists for a night, said chapter president Kathy Douglas.

MADD's website says impaired driving is the No. 1 cause of criminal death in Canada.

"An average of just under four Canadians are killed every day by impaired drivers and just under 190 Canadians are injured daily," it states

Douglas believes the new 911 campaign will make a difference.

The program, launched in May, encourages people to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.

Ten signs

Ten possible signs of an impaired driver, according to Mother's Against Drunk Driving

- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed.

- Drifting in and out of lanes.

- Tailgating and changing lanes frequently.

- Making exceptionally wide turns.

- Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance.

- Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights.

- Disregarding signals and lights.

- Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or too slowly.

- Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on.

- Driving with windows down in cold or inclement weather

Also see -

Memories in Motion tour