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Red ribbons to remind people to drive sober this Christmas

Oct 26, 2017 | 2:52 PM

They’ve been a fixture at Christmas time for 30 years.

MADD Canada’s red ribbons will be returning starting November 1. The ribbons are tied to vehicles and personal belongings for two reasons, said Lethbridge chapter community leader Anita Huchala.

“We tie it on the vehicles in honour of the victims and survivors of impaired driving, and we also tie them on to remind people to drive sober during the holiday season, as well as throughout the rest of the year,” Huchala said.

She was joined at the Coaldale fire hall Thursday, Oct. 26, a few days before the formal launch, by Mayor Kim Craig, fire chief Kevin McKeown, and RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry to cut a ceremonial ribbon.

“The messaging has been continuous but still has to be kept up that drinking and driving is never appropriate, I think especially at this time of year,” Henry said.

Herny explained it’s difficult to tell a family that they have lost a loved one, and the question is always “why?” The police have the same question, he added.

The campaign will be rolled out in Lethbridge and elsewhere in the coming days. The donation boxes and ribbons will be placed in local businesses and at events.

(Story from Lethbridge News Now)