The Okanagan chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) wants people to be more careful and aware when they drive this holiday season.
MADD Okanagan has a car crash installation in front of the 91大黄鸭 Visitor Centre showing the aftermath of a crash when an impaired individual gets behind the wheel.
鈥淚mpaired driving is a crime and we don鈥檛 tolerate it when people drink and drive, especially during the holidays,鈥� MADD Okanagan president Laura Garcia said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 funny, but it鈥檚 just very common (to drive impaired) during the holiday season鈥� despite COVID-19 and the pandemic we have, people still gather and still drink.鈥�
The chapter鈥檚 victim service director Eva Gainer said up to four people are killed by impaired drivers every day across Canada, with approximately 270 people are left injured due to incidents with impaired drivers.
鈥淚鈥檓 involved with MADD as a victim myself. In Ontario鈥� my husband Don and our youngest son Bryan were killed by a drunk driver. I was critically injured in that crash along with another friend,鈥� she said.
The impaired driver, Gainer said, was instantly killed in that crash.
Garcia and Gainer both said impaired driving doesn鈥檛 just involve those who drink before they get in their vehicle, but also those who may be under the influence of drugs or those who may be driving exhausted.
With the installation, they鈥檙e asking that people consider not just their own safety, but others鈥� as well.
鈥淲hen they see this vehicle, we hope it pushes them to be conscious and aware of what the situation could be,鈥� Garcia said.
鈥淧lease don鈥檛 drive impaired.鈥�
READ: Horgan warns B.C. holiday partiers, protesters to sit tight, mask up
