MADD Canada has kicked off the 2022 Project Red Ribbon campaign to prevent impaired driving during the holiday season.
The holiday awareness campaign kicked off locally during a RIDE event on Friday with the Windsor Police Service, LaSalle Police Service and Essex County OPP giving out ribbons to cars driving on Cabana Road East by Roseland Public School.
The campaign aims to raise awareness with red ribbons and red ribbon car decals as a symbol of their commitment to driving sober.
The ribbons also serve as a tribute to victims who have lost their lives or were injured in crashes involving impaired driving.
Community Leader for MADD Windsor-Essex County Chaouki Hamka says impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada.
He says when they talk about impaired driving it's not just focused on alcohol but also drugs.
"It's very important for the public to make safe and responsible choices. As the holiday season begins there are more festivities, and a lot more partying going on. Make safe and responsible choices and get home safe."
Hamka says there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to impaired driving.
"Impaired driving continues to be out there, with so much going on and changes with the government we are hopefully working on lessening crashes and deaths on our roads. So many people are getting the message not only about driving impaired but to report impaired drivers."
He says this is the 35th annual Project Red Ribbon campaign.
The campaign will continue until the beginning of January.
MADD Canada encourages members of the community to call an Uber, or cab or arrange a designated driver if they are impaired.