MADD sign program brings awareness to impaired driving

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on March 24, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman MAAD Lethbridge and Area Chapter president Anita Huchala, MAAD volunteer Mathew Henry, and LPS traffic Sgt. Brent Paxman, place an "impaired driver caught here" sign as part of MADD latest project to raise awareness and prevent impaired driving.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Lethbridge and Area has partnered with the Lethbridge Police Service to raise awareness about impaired driving and encourage residents to report it.
The week of March 20-26 marks Impaired Driving Prevention Week in Canada and MAAD Lethbridge and Area has launched their latest project called “Impaired Driver Caught Here mobile 911 sign program” to encourage Lethbridge residents to call 911 and report suspected impaired drivers.
Starting at the end of April residents will see mobile “Impaired Driver Caught Here” signs throughout the city, at locations where police have apprehended impaired drivers and charged them with a Criminal Code offence or issued an immediate roadside sanction.
“This is going to make the public aware that impaired driving happens anywhere, anytime. It’s going to be a little shocking when they start seeing these signs pop up in their areas and know they are driving their kids to school or that’s the route they take to go to work,” said Anita Huchala, president of MAAD Lethbridge and Area Chapter and victim support volunteer.
She said they are hoping that it will encourage people to call 911 when they suspect an impaired driver is on the road.
“The goal is to help remind the public about the important role they play in helping police get impaired drivers off the roads,” said Mathew Henry, MAAD volunteer.
The campaign was first launched in Canada in Saskatchewan in the communities of Estevan, Regina Prince Albert and Saskatoon. Lethbridge is the first Alberta city to adopt it, with the support of MADD Canada and Alberta Transportation.
Lethbridge Police Service Acting-Sgt. Brent Paxman of the Traffic Response Unit said LPS has charged hundreds of people with impaired driving in the last three years, with 272 in 2021, 293 in 2020, and over 400 in 2019.
“A program like this we are hoping will provide awareness for people before they make that decision, stop it before it happens,” said Paxman.
The signs will be moved to new locations every other week based on new impaired driving charges.
“We have also created an interactive map that lists each sign and provides basic information such as the location where the charge/suspension was issued and the age of the driver,” said Henry.
He added that deaths caused by impaired drivers will be marked on the map with their red ribbon icon to honour the victim and their family.
For more information on the locations go to http://www.maddchapters.ca/lethbridge and click on ‘Mobile 911 Sign Program.

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