WARNING: Your Life is in Danger!

Do I have your attention?

Are you aware that a record number of people are putting your life at risk? In fact, they are risking the lives of everyone who uses our roads and highways.

Recently, the Daily News published a story quoting Nanaimo RCMP Officer Dave Fee who said that Nanaimo is quickly becoming the impaired driving capital of B.C. Corporal Fee provided statistics to show that 59 impaired drivers were charged between November 2003 and January 2004. The highest number in the province, second to that was Surrey with 54.

You can be sure that if 59 impaired drivers were caught by the police many more were actually on the road. They are driving on the same roads that you drive, the same roads that your friends and loved ones drive. They are putting your lives in danger.

Corporal Fee expressed his and his comrade’s exasperation saying, “There are a lot of people in this town that just don’t get it”. I can only add my voice and my frustration to theirs. It is disheartening to find that after many years of volunteering my time to traffic safety in Nanaimo and other Vancouver Island Communities that nothing has changed. RRID was organized 12 years ago after a group of concerned people read a story in the Daily News where a police officer was quoted as saying it was “not safe to drive in Nanaimo on Friday or Saturday night” because so many impaired drivers were on the roads. I’m sure the same statement is true today.

Why is a population of 70,000 people willing to let a small group of stupid people put us all at risk? Why aren’t more people involved in traffic safety? We are all at risk when impaired or speeding or reckless or dangerous drivers are on the road. This is a community problem, it’s not “their problem, it’s “our” problem and it will take the participation and involvement of the whole community to solve it. Don’t wait as so many of us do until it directly impacts your life. It is sad that many of us need to have pain as a wake-up call. I urge you to get involved.

If you see a car being driven recklessly or dangerously call 9-1-1 and report it. Give the license plate, a description of the vehicle, the location and the direction the vehicle was heading. And be prepared to testify in court if necessary. Let’s get dangerous drivers off our roads.

Take a few moments to write, ( PO Box 9053 , Stat. A, Prov. Govt, Victoria, V8W 9E2) call (1-800-663-7867) or fax (250-387-0087), Solicitor General Rich Coleman and let him know that we are getting tired of waiting for the government to bring in their long promised “comprehensive plan” to deal with impaired drivers. Change is long overdue, we need action now.

Last year on the May long weekend there were 292 motor vehicle crashes on Vancouver Island . These crashes resulted in 125 injuries, injuries that were far beyond skinned knees and bloody noses. People injured in motor vehicle crashes often sustain life altering injuries like paralysis or brain damage. And most of these crashes are totally preventable. We need to create change.

Let’s take back our Island roads and highways. I believe we can do it, by working together we can truly make a difference, and we need to do that.

Joan Parsons

President

Rid Roads of Impaired Drivers

It Can’t Happen to Me

So you don't think it can happen to you.
Just what makes you think you're immune?
Could it be that you're really protected?
Or is it just a roll of the dice
No one knows what's around the corner
Or where the next impaired driver will strike
We only know it will happen
And forever change someone's life.

I once thought it couldn't happen to me - then it did.
And I'm neither the first nor the last
It happens to all kinds of people
Who all think "it can't happen to me,
it often happens to others - but, never, never to me"

But impaired drivers are random killers
And their victims come from all walks of life
Sons and daughters, fathers, mothers, friends, lovers, husbands, wives,
Each one a unique person, each a part of other people's lives.
They had different dreams and goals and plans
But one thing they all shared - was life.
But now their lives are over
And for their loved ones life is never the same
And their loss affects the community
For the death of one person is a loss to us all
And each of us shares in the pain.

The victims and their survivors probably shared one thought
Right up to the moment of impact
They thought, "it can't happen to me"
But it did.

So don't sit being quiet and complacent
Thinking "this can't happen to me"
For none of us is protected, none of us has a guarantee.
And right now some one is drinking
And soon will get in their car
And right now the next victim is saying
"It can't happen to me"
But it will.

So do we throw up our hands in horror
Acknowledging this is a lost cause
Or
Do we say, yes, we can change this
The choice is up to us
We each need to make a commitment
And say the responsibility is ours
To ensure that those who choose to drink
Don't get behind the wheels of cars.

Joan Parsons

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