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Executive Director of the Coalition for Safer Alberta Roads Debbie Hammond (left) and Superintendent Sean Curry of the Grande Prairie RCMP announce the beginning of the Holiday Heroes campaign on Tuesday (Photo: Shaun Penner)
By Shaun Penner
Holiday Heroes

New incentive aims to reward designated drivers this holiday season

Nov 19, 2019 | 12:23 PM

The Grande Prairie RCMP and the Coalition for Safer Alberta Roads are teaming up to reward those who plan a safe ride home this holiday season.

The Holiday Heroes campaign was launched on Tuesday morning at the Grande Prairie detachment, which will involve Officers handing out $5 Tim Hortons gift cards to designated drivers at check stops set up around the area, who the Coalition refers to as “Holiday Heroes”.

Executive Director with the Coalition Debbie Hammond says they want to reward those for doing good, instead of always focussing on those that break the law.

“When we reward people for doing the right thing, they are more likely to repeat the behaviour,” said Hammond. “Instead of focussing on people that are maybe doing the wrong thing, let’s reward the right people, and word hopefully spreads and people will get the message.”

The timing for the campaign comes as winter driving conditions have reappeared in the area with recent freezing rain and heavy snowfall. Superintendent of the Grande Prairie RCMP Sean Curry notes that adding drunk or high drivers into those conditions is a bad mix.

“As they say in Game of Thrones, ‘winter is coming’” Curry chuckled. “So, we know there is going to be more snow, more cold weather, the roads are going to be slippery. You want to have all your faculties about you when you are driving in those types of conditions.”

“So, to plan ahead and have that safe driver, really does a lot to prevent any tragedies.”

The coalition purchased 600 gift cards from the Prairie Plaza Tim Hortons for the campaign. Hammond took time to acknowledge and thank the owners of that location, Raj and Simi Dhindsa, who donated one-third of that total to the cause.

The campaign will run from now until New Year’s Day at various check stops around the Grande Prairie area.

“I think it’s a great idea” said Curry. “No one’s going to say no to a coffee.”

by Shaun Penner