Canada: Manitoba declares Nov 2 as MADD, Project Red Ribbon Day to honor blunt driving victims

In the time that Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) came into effect in Manitoba in Dec 2019, which implemented consequences to impaired driving at the time of the offence,  to the end of September 2020, 782 drivers were removed from the road under the IRP legislation. 

“Our government would like to thank Manitobans on their personal commitment to drive sober,” said Cullen. “Great strides have been made to reduce impaired driving including implementing our Immediate Roadside Prohibition. However, it continues to be a deadly problem on our roads and recognizing Project Red Ribbon helps to keep the sober driving message top of mind.”

There have been at least 81 traffic collisions related to impaired driving in 2020 to date and at least 18 people killed and eight people seriously injured.

“Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility and impaired driving is completely preventable,” Cullen added. “Project Red Ribbon helps to share the message to drive sober throughout the holidays and the year.”

An average of four people are killed every day, said MADD Canada, in crashes where there is the presence of alcohol and/or drugs, with approximately 60,000 Canadians being injured every year.

The financial and social costs exceed $20 billion a year. 

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)