Most workplaces are already accepting charitable donations and organizing Christmas parties.
While these good deeds and fun times are enjoyable parts of the Christmas season, the bad side of festivities is also showing up again.
Yes, we are talking about drinking and driving.
Already this year the OPP has nabbed impaired drivers in their festive RIDE programs. Although it is something we hope doesn’t happen, inevitably there will be accidents as a result of imbibing and driving.
Those heart-wrenching events impact families in ways that we pray no one has to experience.
We’ve all been there where a choice has to be made about driving after attending a party. In recent times, the vast majority of people line up a designated driver or alternate transportation. It is the only sensible course of action.
For all the complaints about young people these days, they for the most part have a great attitude about not drinking and driving. With licensing requirements now in place, they recognize the immense cost and consequence that comes with driving impaired.
This Newspaper recently published statistics worth repeating.
Wellington County OPP has a dedicated unit of four officers conducting RIDE programs, in addition to regular patrols.
Since the program spots are obviously not advertised, drivers are gambling heavily if they think they won’t enter a ride stop at some point this season.
During the launch of this year’s initiative a couple of weeks ago, Elizabeth Kent of Guelph Wellington MADD informed attendees that four people die each day and 145 people are injured each day in Canada due to impaired driving.
The Festive RIDE campaign will run through Jan. 6. Last year, 38,531 vehicles were checked during 72 RIDE initiatives, resulting in 13 drivers charged with impaired driving.
Until that number drops to zero, there is more work to be done.
It is our hope that people enjoy themselves this holiday season.
Just don’t drink and drive.
Extra extra
We had a very concerned caller this past Tuesday about News the previous day that corporate Newspaper owners were closing papers across Ontario.
Her worry and that of her friends at a local retirement home was that their Wellington Advertiser was in jeopardy.
Happily, we can report that our Newspaper remains a successful, independent organization owned locally by the Adsett family. In March we will celebrate 50 years in business. With luck, good health and stamina, we hope to be around another 50 years.
Faithful readers and loyal businesses keep our Newspaper strong.
Thank you!
