MADD Canada Urges Safe Celebrations During Holiday Season: Tips for Party-Goers and Hosts

By Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

As the festive season peaks, MADD Canada actively advocates for road safety by emphasizing the importance of preventing impaired driving during the holidays and New Year celebrations.

Tanya Hansen Pratt, MADD Canada National President, highlights the crucial commitment needed during this festive time. “As we indulge in holiday cheer and welcome the New Year, it’s vital to make a conscious promise to ourselves and our loved ones never to drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs,” she stated. Plan for a sober journey home if you’re participating in festivities that involve these substances, she said in her message.

The organization underscores the grim reality of impaired driving, which annually results in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. This preventable cause of tragedy demands collective responsibility and proactive measures from everyone.

Ms. Hansen Pratt adds, “A few minutes spent arranging a sober ride can spare a lifetime of sorrow and regret.” To ensure safety and responsible celebration, MADD Canada offers practical advice for both party attendees and hosts.

Advice for Party-Goers:

If you’re attending a holiday or New Year’s party, decide in advance how you will return home safely.

Consider options like booking an Uber, hailing a cab, using public transportation, appointing a designated driver, or planning an overnight stay.

Suggestions for Party Hosts:

Hosts can play a pivotal role in preventing impaired driving:

Provide ample food and non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beverage options.

Control the serving of drinks to monitor guests’ consumption and avoid serving alcohol to those who are visibly intoxicated. Cease serving alcohol well before the party ends.

If cannabis is part of the celebration, be mindful of guests’ consumption levels.

Know how your guests plan to get home and who will drive.

Have useful tools ready, like the Uber app (if available) and taxi contact information.

Be prepared to offer overnight accommodation to guests not in a condition to drive.

As festive gatherings fill the calendar, MADD Canada’s message is a timely reminder to prioritize safety and responsibility, ensuring the celebrations are memorable for all the right reasons.