MADD’s Red Ribbon campaign is underway

Crescentwood

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This article was published 20/11/2024 (389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What should have been a normal ride home turned to tragedy when Charleswood resident Tony Rinella’s family car was hit by a drunk driver and his mother was killed.

“I was 10 years old when my mother died in 1969 and I still think about her,” Rinella said. “Someone made a horrible selfish decision to drink and drive and they stole my mother from me. I can only hope that people understand the ramifications of getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking and make a different choice.”

As the holiday season approaches, Mother’s Against Drunk Driving’sannual Red Ribbon awareness campaign aimed at promoting sober driving gets underway.

“The campaign encourages people to tie red ribbons on their vehicles, keychains, purses, and other visible locations as a symbol of their commitment to sober driving and in remembrance of victims of impaired driving,” said Trevor Ens, MADD Winnipeg chapter President.

“Drinking and driving is an entirely preventable crime,” Ens said. “Impaired driving deaths almost triple homicides in Canada. The average number of fatalities in Canada directly related to drug or alcohol impairment is around 2,000, while the total number of homicides in Canada in 2022 was 788, one of the highest in years.”

In addition to raising awareness, MADD provides support to victims and survivors of impaired driving.

“We have resource guides, injury resources and offer court support to help families, such as Tony’s, understand the judicial proceedings,” Ens said.

“While my physical injuries from the accident have long since healed, the death of my mother created a huge rift in my family that lingers to this day,” Rinella said. “People need to make the right decision this holiday season and not drink and drive.”

For more information on the Red Ribbon campaign, or support services MADD offers, visit maddchapters.ca/winnipeg/