After taking a two-year break due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide safe-drive program for the holidays, Operation Red Nose, is coming back this year.
The program, first established in 1984, helps connect those who have been drinking or are unable to drive their own vehicle, with volunteer drivers, who will drive the individual safely back home. For this year, the program will be implemented in 75 communities across Canada and will run from November 25 until New Year’s Eve.
Each Operation Red Nose safe ride requires three volunteers – one to drive the vehicle of the individual who called for the service, a second to navigate, and a third who will follow the group in a separate vehicle that will pick up the other two volunteers after dropping the individual off home.
“If you’re going to be out celebrating this holiday season, which is something we all want to do, make sure you avail yourself of this service, or other means to make sure that you get home safely,” said Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen during an Operation Red Nose launch event last week.
In addition to helping individuals get home safely, Operation Red Nose also raises funds for local sports organizations.
“In each area that provides a service, donations go to some sort of youth and/or sports organization,” said Chris Wilson, Operation Red Nose BC spokesperson.
“It’s a great program all around. You get home, your car gets home, and the donation that you provide in return goes to a local non-profit organization that’s making a difference in your community.”
Operation Red Nose’s provincial partners include insurance companies like the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) in BC; UNI Insurance in New Brunswick; Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) and Desjardins Group in Quebec; and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) in Saskatchewan. In addition, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) in Manitoba is one of the founding sponsors of the program.
“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday season responsibly. If your celebrations involve alcohol, please make sure to plan ahead for a safe ride home,” ICBC road safety program manager Robin Bell told CBC News in a statement.
“Impaired driving is one of the key road safety issues affecting Manitobans, and we are proud to be part of this initiative to reduce the risk on the road, especially during the holiday season,” MPI vice president and chief customer officer Satvir Jatana told CTV News.
