DarkLight Media

With the Holiday and Christmas Party Season fast approaching, we wanted to share this sobering video {🔊sound on} and the reality that according to MADD Canada Crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are a leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Every day, on average, up to 4 Canadians are killed and many more are injured in alcohol and/or drug-related motor vehicle crashes on public roads involving at least one “principal highway vehicle” (i.e. passenger cars, vans, trucks, and motorcycles).

In 2014, road crashes claimed an estimated 2,297 lives. Based on the testing of fatally-injured drivers, it may be estimated that 1,273 (55.4%) of these deaths resulted from crashes in which an individual was positive for alcohol and/or drugs.

Here are some suggestions from SGI for ways you can make sure your friends and family get home safely:

-Offer to call them a cab, a friend/relative, or safe ride service.
-Take away their keys.
-Host the event at your place and let them stay the night.
-Arrange a safe ride before you all go out together – plan to leave the vehicle at home and get a safe ride to your destination. That way there's less temptation to drive if judgment is impaired by alcohol later.
-Offer to be a designated driver (and next time, it's your friend's turn to be a good wingman).

Please stay safe, there is nothing wrong with having a little fun but make sure to plan a safe ride home.