Operation Red Nose officials hoping to give 1,000 rides home over the holidays

Police Chief J.P. Levesque says the more options people have, the less likely they are to get behind the wheel and drive impaired.

Levesque on Thursday urged motorists taking part in holiday celebrations to consider using Operation Red Nose, a ride program that ensures revelers and their vehicles get home safely.

“It’s not just giving them options, it’s getting that option out there so people know about it so we have this kick-off,” Levesque said at Operation Red Nose’s seventh annual launch, held at Confederation College.

“You hear the numbers, a thousand rides. Well that’s probably 1,000 people who may have gotten behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have. It can only help make the roads safer.”

While some drivers still don’t get the message, Levesque is convinced it’s a generational attitude and the tide is shifting.

“We continue to see the numbers drop,” he said. “I know my kids and their friends wouldn’t dream of getting behind the wheel when they’ve been drinking. They make arrangements to get home safely. We’re seeing a lot more of that with young adults.”

Last year, 678 people took advantage of the program, which kicks off on Nov. 27 and runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday’s through December, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Diana Sustawenko, executive director of the Northwestern Ontario branch of St. John Ambulance, said the program continues to grow year after year.

“We find every year it’s picking up. Last year we gave 678 rides home and we’re really hoping that we’ll give between 800 and 1,000 rides this year.”

In year one Sustawenko estimated they gave about 200 rides home.

One impaired driver on the road is one to many, she said.

“We want to be able to prevent injury, any casualties or death over the Christmas holidays and in order to do that we’re providing this free volunteer safe ride home for people and their vehicles.”

Operation Red Nose is a free service, though donations are accepted.

Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer phone 345-1712 and to register for a ride, call 683-6673.