Islanders reminded to drive sober and plan rides ahead of holiday activities
CBC
Islanders are reminded to plan their rides ahead of holiday festivities if they plan on drinking alcohol or using cannabis.
Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media relations officer for the P.E.I. RCMP, said it's the time of the season that brings lots of celebrations and get-togethers — but also an increased risk from impaired driving.
"The ultimate goal here is not about catching the most impaired drivers, it's really about safety," Moore said.
"We have an increased presence, we have increased number of traffic stops and checkpoints, all with the goal of both enforcing against impaired driving and deterring those who may make the poor choice of impaired driving."
Moore said roughly a third of the RCMP’s impaired driving arrests stem from reports made by the public.
He said impaired driving is an emergency situation, so RCMP encourage Islanders to call 911 if they see signs of it. Those could include swerving, trouble maintaining speed or the inability to stay in the centre of the lane.
"I can't emphasize enough the importance of these calls," Moore said. "These are clearly effective in helping to guide us on to situations that allow us to make these stops and make the roads safer for everybody."
Moore said Islanders should plan ahead and ensure they have a sober driver to give them a ride home after celebrating.
Tignish residents once again have a familiar option for getting home safely after New Year's Eve parties.
Hal Perry has spent the past 15 years giving people rides after the Dec. 31 festivities.
Perry, who's the Liberal MLA for Tignish-Palmer Road and the Official Opposition leader in the P.E.I. Legislature, said he started the tradition because he wanted to set an example for his children.
"I wanted them to plan ahead, to be a designated driver themselves too and not to get behind the wheel if they've had anything to drink and not to get into a vehicle with anybody else that may have had something to drink," Perry told Island Morning host Mitch Cormier.
"It also provided a choice to rural areas like my own that really don't have public transit or our [own] taxi service."
Perry said he enjoys providing the service, calling it one of his "best nights of the year," though he said his personal taxi rides have now expanded beyond New Year's Eve.
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