Plan ahead, drive sober

Plan ahead, drive sober

TPS A/Supt. Gord Jones and OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey with Anne Leonard and Alex Reid of Arrive Alive Police and community members reminded Ontarians that the Victoria Day long weekend can turn deadly by failing to plan ahead. The 25th annual Arrive Alive Sober Driving Campaign was launched by Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police Service and Ontario Government officials at Toronto police headquarters on May 15. “Our charity is proud of the progress we have made in Ontario over the past 25 years to change attitudes about impaired driving and help save lives. There is still more work to do and we are launching our annual sober−driving campaign today to remind Ontarians to drive safely this holiday weekend,” Arrive Alive, Drive Sober executive director Anne Leonard said. This year’s campaign includes new public service announcements. “For 25 years, Arrive Alive has been doing a great job of reminding us to stay safe. Drinking and driving is a crime and endangers all users of our roads. Let’s all play our part in keeping Ontario safe by being safe and responsible drivers,” said Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Madelaine Meilleur. Traffic Services Acting Superintendent Gord Jones said impaired driving costs society financially and takes a huge emotional toll on the victims, friends and families have to live with for the rest of their lives. “You are responsible for your actions… If you make a choice to drive impaired and choose to risk the safety of all road users, we will be there and we will stop you,” Jones said. “The choice is simple, drive after consuming an intoxicating substance and you risk not only your life but the lives of others. Make the right decision and don’t drive.” He said planning to stay overnight or choosing a safe route home in advance, whether it be public transit, a cab or through a designated driver, is the best way to avoid poor decisions. MPP Kevin Flynn “Whatever you do remember that planning is an essential part of any action. The right to choose should be part of your plan.” Ontario Provincial Police Traffic Safety and Operational Support Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey praised the efforts of Arrive Alive, Drive Sober executive director Anne Leonard for her efforts to educate the public over the past 25 years. “She has been at the forefront for education and direct support for all police agencies in Ontario for fighting impaired driving in any form. This includes snowmobiles, ATVs and marine, which remain a huge challenge in relation to enforcement and education,” Beechey said. “I know her work is difficult to measure but I know her work has saved lives in the province of Ontario.” Minister of Transportation Parliamentary Assitant MPP Kevin Flynn said education and enforcement efforts are having a great impact on the safety of the province. In 2011 Ontario had the lowest impaired rate in the country, 50 per cent lower than the national average. “We’re trying to keep our young drivers safe by simply ensuring they don’t drink and drive,” Flynn said, of the law that forbids any driver under 21 to have any alcohol in their system. “Sober drivers are safe drivers, it’s that simple.”