With Alberta Beer Week in full swing, Mothers Against Drunk Driving are reminding people not to drink and drive.
Alberta Beer Week kicked off this past Friday and Peggy Gougeon, co-president of MADD Red Deer & District, said there are preventative measures that need to be taken when going out to drink.
“It’s important to plan a head and have a designated driver. If you know you’re going to drink and you know you’re going to get in your car afterwards, it’s best to plan to leave your car at home and take a cab,” said Gougeon.
Gougeon believes there is an important question a person needs to ask themselves in those situations.
“What are you willing to lose? It could kill you or it could kill somebody else and destroy a whole family. It’s not worth the agony of what there is to lose,” said Gougeon.
Earlier this month, the Red Deer RCMP arrested nine people for impaired driving in a span of two days.
It’s something they take very seriously and continue to enforce the issue.
“We usually find when any type of drinking event goes on it usually turns out bad for somebody. We have our regular check stops on and we are out there looking for impaired drivers,” said Sgt. Al Nickolson of the Red Deer RCMP.
Gougeon was unimpressed with those numbers and said it is very discouraging.
“We thought it was getting better, but judging by all the incidents you are seeing lately I’m not sure the message is getting out there,” said Gougeon.
Joel Martens, owner of Roosters Wood Fire & Smoke, encourages people who plan on drinking to inform staff of their intentions so they can arrange a way for the person to get home safely.
“As an owner, come and talk to me if you’re planning on drinking heavy. Let me know and we can make sure that everybody is looked after. Leave your keys at the bar, leave your vehicle parked and have some fun,” said Martens.
Alberta Beer Week is about supporting local craft breweries and ends on Oct.1.
For more information on the events happening around the city visit www.albertabrewers.ca
jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com