With the holiday season just around the corner, MADD Metro Vancouver is launching its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign to prevent impaired driving.

Project Red Ribbon runs from November 1st to the first Monday after New Year’s. During that time, MADD Metro Vancouver will be out in the community asking residents of Metro Vancouver to tie a red ribbon to their vehicles, key chains, purses, briefcases or backpacks. The red ribbon is a symbol of a person’s commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season, and a reminder to other motorists to do the same.

The Campaign will kick off on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 11:00 a.m., at the Vancouver Art Gallery (north side), with special guests including Mayor Gregor Robertson, Chief of Vancouver Police Department Jim Chu, and Area Director of BC Emergency Health Services Paul Richards.

The red ribbon also serves as a tribute to those who have been killed or injured as a result of impaired driving. Every year, between 1,250 and 1,500 people are killed and more than 63,000 injured in impairment-related crashes.

MADD Metro Vancouver is asking everyone to help make this holiday season safe from impaired driving:

  • Plan ahead when you know you’ll be drinking. Take a cab or bus, arrange a designated driver or plan to stay over.
  • Never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver.
  • If you see a driver you suspect is impaired, call 9-1-1 to report it to police. The call you make could save a life.

The 2014 campaign marks the 28th year for Project Red Ribbon in Canada. It is MADD Canada’s longest running and most well-known public awareness campaign.

“With the holiday season nearly here and our social calendars filling up with holiday parties and gatherings, we want to highlight the importance of planning ahead and arranging a sober ride home if you know you might be drinking,” said MADD Canada National President Angeliki Souranis. “Our red ribbons remind people about that impaired driving is never worth the risk.”

VPD Chief Constable Jim Chu says, “One driver stopped for impaired driving is one driver too many,” says VPD Chief Constable Jim Chu. “Now is the time to plan your safe ride home, before you begin consuming drugs or alcohol.”

Please request ribbons from the MADD Metro Vancouver Chapter by email at maddvancouver@gmail.com or calling (604) 515-9212.