Mothers Against Drunk Driving could be helping to RID North Okanagan roads of drunk drivers.
MADD BC has shown an interest in implementing its RID 911 program in the area.
Through signage, public awareness campaigns and education, the program encourages the public to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers to police.
Although calling 911 to report an impaired driver is not a new idea, it’s one that could be more widely used to save more lives.
“Surveys have shown that 50 per cent of Canadians felt that calling 911 to report a suspected impaired driver was not an appropriate use for 911,” according to MADD’s fact sheet on the program. “Results to date have shown that a 911 program to report suspected impaired drivers is a low-cost community program which is effective at taking impaired drivers off the roads.”
Along with making impaired drivers aware of the increased potential of being caught, the program has proven successful in other communities. The number of 911 calls to report suspected impaired drivers increased between 45 and 80 per cent in the first year of implementation.
MADD will be contacting North Okanagan stakeholders in the area to see if there is interest in the program, which MADD covers the cost of.
“It’s fantastic to see a program that you do see success from that there’s no cost to communities for,” said Warren Smith, Safe Communities Unit rural program co-ordinator.
Coldstream and Enderby have recently expressed interest in such a program, particularly around area waterways.
“The program also focuses on boating as well,” said Smith.
