In the News

MADD wants drivers to ‘tie one on’
Chatham Daily News
By Ellwood Shreve
November 5, 2009

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means more parties and special occasions that include alcohol.

However, the good times can come to an end quickly if someone is killed or seriously injured in a motor-vehicle collision where alcohol is involved.

The Chatham-Kent chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), launched its 2009 Project Red Ribbon Campaign Thursday to get the message out about the dangers of impaired driving.

Heather Bakker, local MADD chapter co-chair, said, "it's a campaign hoping people will tie one on — meaning tying a red ribbon on their car to support the victims of impaired driving — and to send the message that we're not going to drink and drive."

She said there are boxes around the community where people can purchase red ribbons. She noted towards the end of November, the local MADD chapter will be undertaking an awareness campaign at local coffee shops seeking donations and handing out red ribbons.

Sgt. Mike Domony, who is in charge of the Chatham-Kent Police Service traffic unit, said the MADD campaign coincides with the annual CKPS campaign that targets impaired drivers during the holiday season.

He said the CKPS uses funding it receives from the province to have extra officers on duty conducting extra RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) spot checks.

Domony said the location of the spot checks are kept quiet, "but we don't make a secret of the fact that we're out there doing extra enforcement with regards to drinking and driving."

Also see...

MADD Canada's Project Red Ribbon campaign