MADD re-launches Crashed Car campaign to combat impaired driving

“When people drive by, we hope that it sparks that conversation with those that are in the vehicle with them and that they decide to plan ahead, not ride with an impaired driver, and to get a designated driver.”

Huchala adds the goal of the campaign is to bring awareness that drunk driving doesn’t just occur around the holiday season.

Jason Darby, Acting Sergeant with the LPS Traffic Response Unit, says officers are continuing to find impaired drivers throughout the whole year, including at check stops.

“Impaired driving isn’t something that we see only on Christmas or May long weekend, although we may see a spike or increase in impaired driving at those times. It’s something we deal with 365 days a year. We do check stops throughout the year, we advertise a lot more during the holiday season when we do check stops, but we do them throughout the year and will frequently find impaired drivers, routinely at check stops.”

MADD Lethbridge and Area Chapter covers all of southern Alberta, so motorists can spot the display in Milk River, Fort Macleod, Coaldale, and a variety of other locations.

Currently, the display is set up at Vantage Trailer Sales located two miles east of Lethbridge on Highway 3. MADD will be moving the display every two weeks.

“I do honestly feel like we can stop impaired driving,” says Huchala. “With the crashed car, we have seven of them here in Alberta, we have built 55 relationships last year by having that crashed car in different locations, covering 38 municipalities. I feel like that is going work very strongly in the public so that people do make the right decision.”

MADD, the Lethbridge Police Service, and RCMP have joined forces again to bring the campaign to the community.

Darby says it takes a huge effort to tackle impaired drivers while educating the community.

“It’s not something that us as the police can tackle this issue by ourselves and we need our community partners to help us with that. We’re just a small part of that wheel.”

With COVID-19 restrictions closing licensed establishments such as bars and restaurants, Darby says it is still too early for statistics, but the LPS has continued to see impaired drivers on the road throughout the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, all too often we still come across impaired drivers on the roads these days. I think the common misconception is that COVID-19 has caused a reduction in impaired driving. We do see things like licensed establishments such as bars not open, that may have a bit of effect on impaired driving, but it’s all too often that we see impaired drivers on the road.”

Each and every year, thousands of Canadians are killed or injured in impaired driving crashes. If you would like to help or want to join MADD Canada’s efforts, you can visit their website at maddchapters.ca or call 1-800-665-6233.

A list of all locations of the crashed car can be found on MADD’s social media platforms.

by Karsen Marczuk

MADD re-launches Crashed Car campaign to combat impaired driving

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