Progress in fight against drunk driving stalls in Central Okanagan

KELOWNA – After years of statistics showing a steady decline in the number of drunk drivers in the Central Okanagan, over past few years those numbers have leveled off.

The people behind the Central Okanagan Chapter of Mothers’ Against Drunk Driving aren't giving up.

The group launched its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign at the Number One Fire Hall in Kelowna on Friday.

It’s the largest and longest running public awareness campaign in the organization’s history.

According to the local chapter’s president Carol Fazekas, the red ribbons will be distributed at B.C. Liquor Stores and other businesses. People are asked to tie them to their vehicles, on their key chains, purses, briefcases and backpacks.

“The red ribbon is a symbol of a person’s commitment to drive safe and sober during the holiday season and throughout the year,” Fazekas says in a media release. “It also serves as a reminder to other motorists to drive sober.”

“The red ribbon continues to fly as a symbol of our ongoing effort to stop impaired driving, and as a tribute to all victims who have been killed or injured in impaired driving crashes.”

For a list of businesses handing out the red ribbons go to the MADD Okanagan website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.