In the News

MADD launches its annual ribbon campaign
Burnaby Now
By Paul Andrew
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bob Rorison has come a long way since being hit by a drunk driver in 1994 and losing his house.

Rorison is now the president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Metro Vancouver chapter and helped launch its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign against drunk driving on Wednesday at Burnaby city hall.

MADD has been campaigning to keep roads safe from drunk drivers for 22 years, Rorison said, and he has been involved since 2000 as a volunteer but just recently became the president of MADD.

Rorison said that in addition to preventing drivers from getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking, MADD offers counselling and connections to resources that otherwise might be hard to find as an individual coping with the effects of a drunk-driving accident.

"I lost everything because I couldn't work," Rorison said of the accident in 1994 that all but ruined his life.

"So I lost my house, my car and my job. ICBC made a small offer, but my lawyer and I thought we should fight them in court. Well, I lost that, too, and had to pay court costs...again. So I eventually went to MADD, and they were able to help me with resources that I didn't know about."

Rorison said MADD's Red Ribbon campaign also includes the Lower Mainland as well as Metro Vancouver.

For the next two months, until Jan. 15, drivers will become more aware of the alternatives and the consequences of drunk driving through the Choose Your Ride display that will accompany the launch of the 2009 awareness campaign.

Rorison pointed out that although MADD is known for its anti-drunk driving campaigns, there are anywhere from 30 to 100 volunteers working for the organization at any given time who can help with those who have been affected by personal or property loss because of a drunk driver.

"MADD offers moral support, and can help you get through the system. The drunk driver has no accountability toward the people or the property in an accident. We support victims of this violent crime, drunk driving," he said.

Rorison came back from Alberta to open the ceremonies at the Wednesday launch of the Red Ribbon campaign that included local officials such as Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, Burnaby RCMP Insp. Dave Fleugel and BCAA Traffic Foundation executive director Allan Lamb.

In addition, the B.C. superintendent of motor vehicles, Steve Martin, was also on hand for the 3 p.m. ceremony that took place in the courtyard at city hall.

MADD is a charitable organization and donations can be made by purchasing Blenz Coffee online at www.blenzcoffee.com.

Donors can specify which chapter of MADD they would like to support.

Also see...

Project Red Ribbon campaign