The holiday season in Winnipeg just got a little safer, thanks to a national safe ride program that’s been ensuring residents get home safely. Operation Red Nose offers free safe ride services in communities across Canada, and residents can request a ride by calling. A team of volunteers is then dispatched to drive them and their vehicles home. This service aims to combat impaired driving, which is a major concern during the holiday season.
Local Impact of Operation Red Nose
In Winnipeg, the service has been up and running since 1995 and runs from the end of November to December. Volunteers provide rides every Friday and Saturday night until Christmas and conclude on New Year’s Eve. During a recent interview, Sharra Hinton, the coordinator for Operation Red Nose in Winnipeg, mentioned that the organization provided approximately 600 rides last year with the number reported to be down since the start of the global pandemic. The number for this year will be available once the season concludes.
Safety Executed with Care
Hinton highlights that the rides are a valuable service for residents – a perfect way to get home safe, especially if there is the intent to have a couple of drinks but not drive back. When someone calls in for a ride, two volunteers drive the caller home in their own vehicle followed by a third volunteer driving behind them in an escort vehicle. It’s important to note, though, that the service is only available for those with their own car, and the volunteers want to emphasize that their work is nothing close to a taxi service.
The Hope for a Responsible and Safe Holiday Season
Hinton also expressed how she hopes that people are making smart choices, especially during the holidays when they might be under the influence. She added, “I think any time you have an option for people to get home safely when they’re out drinking and consuming cannabis, it’s a great thing.”
Ripple Effect
As for why she continues to volunteer for Operation Red Nose, she said it’s a great way to meet people who are appreciative of the organization’s work. “I think any time you have an option for people to get home safely when they’re out drinking and consuming cannabis, it’s a great thing,” Hinton emphasized.
Closing Thought
It’s important to recognize and appreciate initiatives like Operation Red Nose that aim to keep our communities safe. As we reflect this holiday season, it’s uplifting to see a community coming together to look out for each other, contributing to a heartfelt reminder. The timely advice for us all as we wrap up a demanding year is to spread the love and look out for one another. Let’s all strive for shared and lasting safety during the holidays and beyond.
Reference
