With Christmas party season in full swing — and the full onslaught of snowy, icy driving conditions — it's more important than ever to plan for a safe ride home.
Operation Red Nose (ORN) volunteers are gearing up for their third weekend of the season after a relatively quiet start this year, said organizer Chris Wilson.
"This year's campaign is going really well," Wilson said. "A little less rides than last year but I think that's mainly because people are planning ahead and either not drinking as much or using a designated driver. We see this as great news."
Operation Red Nose relies on teams of three volunteers being dispatched to pick up revellers and drive them, and their vehicle, home safely. The by-donation service raises money for KidSport Tri-Cities, an organization that helps underprivileged children get involved in sports.
The local chapter, which serves the Tri-Cities, New Westminster and Burnaby, needs about 300 volunteers for the Christmas season. Wilson said ORN has had enough volunteers so far but demand is expected to pick up closer to Christmas and New Year's Eve.
"Some people just make it their New Year's Eve tradition to volunteer with us and we think that's great," Wilson said.
This weekend is also expected to be a busy one for ORN, he added, with many office Christmas parties on deck.
To use ORN this Friday and Saturday night (the service also runs Dec. 16, 17 and 31), call 778-866-6673.
ROADBLOCKS
For those who are driving, be prepared to see some roadblocks as local police and ICBC ramp up their annual CounterAttack campaign.
The road checks will be set up throughout the month in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. ICBC stats show an average of 16 people are killed each year in the Lower Mainland in crashes involving impaired driving.
Those who are caught driving under the influence can expect penalties ranging from driving suspensions of 24 hours to 90 days, vehicle impoundment, fines of $600 up to more than $4,000, jail time and having to have an ignition interlock installed on your vehicle.
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