MADD and Richmond RCMP launch Red Ribbon Project

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Richmond RCMP are urging the public to plan ahead for holiday parties to avoid driving impaired.

Bob Rorison knows firsthand the devastating impacts of drinking and driving. In 1994 — a year after losing his wife to cancer — he was t-boned by an impaired driver in Richmond.

“I was knocked off the road, car did a couple of cartwheels, hit a pole,” Rorison said.

What he didn’t realize in that instant was that it would change his life forever.

“I ultimately couldn’t pay my bills, lost my house, my company went bankrupt, and I had to start over again.”

Thirty years later, he has rebuilt his life and volunteers with MADD.

On Thursday, he joined the Richmond RCMP and other agencies to urge people not to drive impaired these holidays.

The event marked the launch of Project Red Ribbon, which promotes sober driving during the holidays. ICBC statistics show almost a quarter of fatal crashes in B.C. involve impaired driving, and there are more crashes in December than any other month.

“The holiday season is a time of celebration, but it’s a time when we see a rise in impaired driving incidents,” said Supt. Julie Drotar.

Rorison says that sometimes, you aren’t even aware of how much you’ve had to drink.

“You say ‘Well, I only had two’… night goes on and next thing you know, you’ve had way too much,” he said.

“And you don’t even realize it.”

The event featured goggles that can give the user a taste of what it feels like when you overindulge.

“They mimic impairment and once you feel, walking the line, you’ll get that feeling of what it would be like impaired,” said ICBC road safety and community coordinator Harvey Kooner.

“Imagine doing this while driving.”

Drotar says impaired driving is entirely preventable.

“It starts with one simple decision: plan ahead.”

The RCMP has set up extra roadchecks this holiday season. Drivers who blow over the legal limit can have their car impounded and face fines.