Durham Regional Police Service officers will be out in full force this holiday season as part of the annual Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) campaign, which kicked off on campus November 22.
The flashing lights of an ambulance, police cruisers and an emergency vehicle found on Oshawa campus November 22 were not responding to an accident but driving home the importance of safe driving this holiday season.
Durham College's student association hosted the kickoff for the Durham Region Police Service's (DRPS) 2007 Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) campaign. Held at the Student Centre, representatives from the police service and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) spoke with students and the media about the critical importance of the program.
The Choose Your Ride campaign began with DRPS Staff Inspector Brian Fazackerley introducing the RIDE program team and thanking those who have volunteered to take time away from their families during the holiday season to perform vehicle spot checks over the next six weeks. This is a cause that the volunteers feel very strongly about, he said.
In addition, Deputy Chief Chuck Mercier spoke to the crowd about the 22 deaths that have occurred on Durham Region roads this year, and encouraged everyone to drive safely this holiday season.
"The police will be out in force and it's for our protection," said Mercier.
Fraser McArthur, president of Your Student Association, reminded the audience that the ambulance, hearse and police cars parked outside of the Student Centre were not gimmicks, but represented the importance of sober driving. The price of a cab is no comparison to the cost of drinking and driving, he said.
"I personally would like to see all of you here this coming January," said McArthur.
Drinking and driving has personally affected many lives, including the life of Colin Feeney, vice-president of MADD Durham who provided the audience with helpful tips for spotting an intoxicated driver, including: drive a safe distance from the suspected drunk driver; call 911 to report the driver; and if possible, follow the driver until the police are able to stop them.
"I would like to see a victim-free Durham Region," said Feeney.
According to MADD Durham, drinking and driving kills twice the number of people of the national homicide rate. In fact, the overall numbers are staggering. Every year 1,680 people are killed and another 74,000 are injured in alcohol-related crashes - representing more than four deaths every day and more than 200 people injured.
For more information on MADD Durham, visit www.madd-durham.com.