MADD Canada, special guests launch Project Red Ribbon

MADD Canada launched its annual Project Red Ribbon sober driving campaign, Nov. 1, in Halifax.

“Our awareness campaign, featuring our iconic red ribbon, runs from the beginning of November until January 7,” Patricia Hynes-coates, MADD

Canada national president, said.

“Hundreds of volunteers will be out in communities across the country to remind people about the risks and consequences of driving impaired by alcohol, by cannabis or any other substance that impairs one’s ability to drive.”

This is the 31st Project Red Ribbon campaign.

While great strides have been made over the years to reduce impaired driving, it continues to be a deadly problem on Canada’s roads. Continued awareness efforts are crucial, especially now that cannabis is legal.

“The Government of Canada is proud to partner with MADD Canada to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving,” Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, sent a message of support for the campaign and highlighted the risks of cannabis-impaired driving.

“Even though cannabis is now legal in Canada, drug-impaired driving is not. Law enforcement is trained to detect drug-impaired drivers and they enforce drug-impaired driving laws every day. I urge all Canadians to plan ahead to make sure they have a safe ride, to never drive impaired and to never get in the car with an impaired driver.”

Throughout the campaign, MADD Canada volunteers in communities across Canada, including in the Quad Counties, will distribute millions of red ribbons and red ribbon car decals for the public to use as a symbol of their commitment to always drive sober.

The ribbons also serve as a powerful tribute to the thousands of Canadians killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and/ or drugs each year.

The national 2018 Project

Red Ribbon sponsors include Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, Irving Oil Limited, BMO Financial Group, Continental

Tire Canada Inc., RTL Westcan Group of Companies and Cascades Canada ULC.

“Our agents and staff are committed to helping MADD Canada spread the sober driving message,” Allstate Canada President and CEO Ryan Michel said.

We are proud to be part of this effort to help make our roads safer, during the holiday season, and all year long.”

For a list of this year’s Project Red Ribbon sponsors, visit www.madd.ca.

MADD Canada’s red ribbons and car decals are also available through the MADD Canada website, chapters and community leaders, and participating sponsor outlets.

Anyone who wishes to support Project Red Ribbon with a donation can do so on the

MADD Canada site, by calling 1-800-665-6233 or texting “RIBBON” to 45678 (a one-time $10 donation is added to the donor’s cell phone bill and payable to his or her service provider.)