Kelowna

Tis the season for office parties, home parties and Counterattack Roadchecks.

RCMP were out in force over the weekend and, while more than 30 roadside prohibitions were handed out, the director of the Central Okanagan Chapter of MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Drivers) thinks roads are getting safer.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

MADD director, Eva Gainer

Eva Gainer says overall, the message is getting through about the dangers of drinking and driving.

"There are a lot of people that are getting the message," says Gainer.

"Our young people are planning ahead better than the older people. The seasoned drinkers and alcoholics are not planning ahead as well as the young people are."

Gainer says with new driver restrictions, younger drivers don't want to see their insurance rates increase.

"It's just like smoking that has decreased. There are still people who smoke, young and old, but overall it is on the decrease," says gainer.

"So has drinking and driving impaired. And that's any type of vehicle - car, truck, van, seadoo or boat in the summer and skidoo's in the winter."

Representatives from MADD will accompany RCMP at a handful of roadside checks over the holiday season.

Gainer says vehicles that pass the roadcheck will receive a bag from a MADD volunteer containing information about impaired driving, safe driving, holiday tips and a small gift.

MADD is also raising money and awareness through a 'Red Ribbon campaign.'

Gaimer says several small and large businesses in the Central Okanagan are displaying the 'Red Ribbon Campaign' boxes which are full of red ribbons.

"Our red ribbons are in memory of victims of impaired driving and also for public awareness to encourage people to get a safe ride home - to plan ahead," says Gainer.

"Whether that is taking a taxi home, having a designated driver, staying overnight somewhere, whatever., Plan ahead to get a safe ride home."