Mother’s Against Drunk Driving’s Project Red Ribbon Campaign is underway for another year.  MADD Nipissing is taking part in the initiative, which increases awareness about the dangers of impaired driving without our community.Impaired driving could be as a result of alcohol or drugs.  From today (Thursday) until January 7th, 2013, you are invited to show your support for the campaign by wearing a red ribbon or displaying one on your motor vehicle or all terrain vehicle (ATV).  North Bay Police Chief Paul Cook says over the past five years there has been a decline in impaired driving arrests within the city, but notes the number of arrests is still too high.  OPP Inspector Mark Andrews, Unit Commander of the Traffic and Marine Unit of the Northeast Region says that there has been an increase in the number of fatal collisions related to impaired driving in Ontario.  That number is up by 12 per cent compared to a year ago.  Inspector Andrews notes that, while none of those fatal collisions happened within the Northeast region, there has been an increase in alcohol-related collisions involving ATV drivers.  North Bay Mayor Al says he made a pledge to MADD Canada two years ago, that he would have zero alcohol in his system while driving.  He says he has lived up to that pledge and is hoping to encourage and motivate others to take the same pledge.

Written by: lisa.laporte@northbayradio.rogers.com