The Fredericton chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving have launched their annual holiday campaign, Project Red Ribbon.
This campaign strives to increase awareness about impaired driving during the holiday season. In Fredericton, boxes with red ribbons can be found in Irving gas stations, City Hall, the police station, Value Village, Domino’s Pizza and various other businesses around Fredericton.
These ribbons are meant to be tied on a bag, the door handles or antennas of a vehicle and serve as a daily reminder to drive sober this holiday season. Danielle Cole, the resident of the Greater Fredericton Area MADD chapter commented on the symbolism of the red ribbon.
“It’s a small and powerful symbol and it only takes a second to tie it somewhere. Unfortunately, so many people are affected by impaired driving, one person can be involved in a crash and it just creates a massive ripple effect.”
Project Red Ribbon is MADD’s longest running awareness campaign with this year being the 28th year. Cole mentioned the importance of Project Red Ribbon because over the holidays there is more drinking, which leads to more impaired drivers on the road. Cole is very passionate about Project Red Ribbon and MADD’s work as a whole. Cole was motivated to become involved with MADD after being in an impaired driving crash with her two daughters almost three years ago.
“On December 8th, 2012, my daughters and I were struck by a drunk driver who passed away instantly in the crash. My daughters were 3 and 5 at the time and we were actually coming home to Fredericton from my grandfather’s Christmas party in Sussex so that’s why this campaign means so much to me.”
This year MADD’s slogan for Project Red Ribbon is: Tie it! Wear it! Show it! Share it! Live it!
MADD says having a red ribbon tied on someone’s bag or car marks their commitment to drive sober and one person having a ribbon sparks a conversation about impaired driving. This simple symbol effectively increases awareness and as Cole says, having a red ribbon also pays tribute to those who have been affected by impaired driving.
“When I see a red ribbon I get pretty excited. It pays tribute to those that have been involved, those that have lost loved ones, and those that have been injured like myself and my daughters. It means a lot to see them.”
Cole stressed MADD’s mission to separate the drinking from the driving, like oil and water. During this holiday season and always, she encourages people to plan ahead if they know they will be drinking by choosing designated drivers or making plans to stay over. Cole also said impaired driving is not just drinking it includes all drugs, even prescription drugs and driving includes driving all motorized vehicles, whether it be a car or a snowmobile. Cole said although awareness has been raised about impaired driving, it is still affecting many people. Project Red Ribbon encourages us to continue the conversation and to continue raising awareness.
“It takes numbers for things to change. Society’s views have changed but there’s still quite a distance it needs to go. When we start seeing these ribbons it brings people to converse and talk about impaired driving.”
