Trevor Crawley
The Project Red Ribbon campaign kicked off on Tuesday, as Mothers Against Drunk Driving continue to campaign for sober and safe driving.
With local firefighters, RCMP members and Mayors Lee Pratt and Don McCormick on hand at Cranbrook KIA, Katryna Sigurdson, community leader for MADD Kimberley/Cranbrook handed out red ribbons, which were tied to the emergency vehicles.
Cranbrook KIA also donated $1,000 towards the organization, and committed $100 for every new KIA sold towards the local organization.
The Project Red Ribbon campaign, in it’s 29th year, is a tribute to honour those killed or injured in impaired driving crashes and also serves as a constant message to people on the roads to drive safe and sober.
In addition to serving as a tribute, Sigurdson hopes that the red ribbons serve as a reminder to call 911 and take action if someone witnesses a suspected impaired driver.
According to statistics gathered by MADD, there were 1,082 fatalities in 2010 from motor vehicle accidents from impaired driving. In British Columbia alone, it is estimated that there were 167 impairment-related fatalities in 2010.
A key component of the Project Red Ribbon is education, according to Sigurdson. MADD’s mission is to stop impaired driving and believes that goal is possible.
Sigurdson and the local chapter of MADD will be hosting an alcohol-free New Years Eve party on Dec. 31 up at Centennial Hall in Kimberley. Sigurdson also thanks McDonalds for sponsoring the event at Cranbrook KIA.
