MADD’s Red Ribbon a stark reminder
MADD Canada Statistics says that on average, four Canadians are killed every day, and 175 are injured in impairment-related crashes.
The bright red ribbon symbolizes the importance of always driving sober and honours the innocent victims of impaired driving.
MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization with a mission to bring awareness with their message of not drinking and driving.
In its 31st anniversary for the campaign, and the biggest one they have each year for MADD, the Project Red Ribbon runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 7.
Bonnie Gruber, Lethbridge’s vice-president of MADD, explained to the audience during the campaign’s launch on Thursday afternoon, how one senseless act changed her and her family’s lives into “what if” moments forever. In May 1976, her sister, her brother and his friend were killed on their motorcycles by a drunk driver.
“You never get over it, the devastation of such an event, but you learn to have that grief as a part of your life,” Gruber said. “Every time there’s a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday, you dip right back into that grief all over again, no matter how many years go by.”
“As a community, we have a role to play to keep our roads safe,” said Lethbridge Police Deputy Chief Scott Woods, who was in attendance. “If you see a suspected driver, call 9-1-1 because the call you make can save someone’s life.”
He says it’s important to understand that as police officers they are the first people who get called when there’s an incident involving a suspected impaired driver, and that it does affect them dealing with the aftermath.
“As first responders, we have to compartmentalize and move on, but it’s a good reminder for us when we come into the things, the importance of it, and that what we’re doing is trying to make our streets and our community safer,” Woods said.
Anita Huchala, president for the Lethbridge Chapter of MADD, has had her own experience of being affected by an impaired driver.
The devastation of losing her Grade 1 teacher when she was six years old has impacted her even to this day, is part of the reason why MADD is so near and dear to her heart.
“This campaign is really passionate to me because it does help, it gives a symbol for everybody to look at,” Huchala said. “I think bringing this awareness and education to everybody is very important.”
She adds if she can stop just one family from losing their loved one from a drunk driver, and having them hear that dreadful knock on the door from a police officer, then she’s done her job.