Ambassador Taxi and Comox Taxi will be joining forces and collaborating to donate a portion of their December taxi fares to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Comox Valley’s Red Ribbon Campaign.
The Project Red Ribbon campaign helps keep the sober driving message top of mind during the busy holiday season. The red ribbon is a small but powerful symbol of the wearer’s commitment to sober driving.
Both taxi operators highly recommend to pre-plan and take a taxi to and from your event if you plan on consuming alcohol or cannabis.
“It is great to work with another local taxi company to ensure that the service is the best it can be,” said Kevin East, owner of Ambassador Taxi.
Joti Gill, owner of Comox Taxi, said he will have a full fleet of vehicles working the holiday season and parties, with the aim to keep as many impaired drivers off the road as possible.
“We keep (drivers) safe; it’s important we’re working together,” he said and added after 18 years in the industry, he can see firsthand the difference the taxi industry can do in keeping impaired drivers off the road.
ICBC says impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal car crashes, with an average of 68 lives lost every year in the province. Ten people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving on the Island every year.
Police will set up roadblocks across the province during the campaign.
While great strides have been made over the years to reduce impaired driving, it continues to be a deadly problem on Canada’s roads. This is the first holiday season following the legalization of cannabis.
Until Jan. 7, 2019, MADD Canada Chapters and Community Leaders will distribute millions of ribbons to Canadians to wear and display as a reminder to:
• Never drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver.
• Plan ahead if you’re going to be drinking or consuming cannabis or other drugs. Call Ambassador Taxi (250-941-8294) or Comox Taxi (250-339-7955), arrange a designated driver, take public transit or stay the night.
• Call 911 you see a driver you suspect is impaired.
For more information about MADD Comox Valley, visit www.maddchapters.ca/comoxvalley