To Ring in 2012 Safely, Drive Sober or Take FREE Public Transit on New Year’s Eve

To Ring in 2012 Safely, Drive Sober or Take FREE Public Transit on New Year's Eve
To Ring in 2012 Safely, Drive Sober or Take FREE Public Transit on New Year's Eve

This is an update to my previous blog: Have a Safe & Sober Holiday Season: Plan Ahead for a Safe Ride Home in Ontario, Canada

After the New Year’s Eve celebrations, always drive sober or plan ahead for a safe ride home by:

  • taking public transit: across Ontario, many communities offer FREE public transit on New Year’s Eve, including:
  • riding with a designated driver or
  • staying overnight.

Have a Happy & Safe New Year!

Ontario, Canada: Newsroom

NEWS RELEEASE

Ring in the New Year With A Safe Ride Home

December 31, 2011

McGuinty Government Reminds Ontarians To Always Drive Sober

This New Year’s Eve, plan ahead for a safe drive home and remember to never get behind the wheel impaired.

Ontario has one of the best road safety records in North America and has introduced some of the toughest impaired driving laws in Canada. Despite these achievements, alcohol still contributes to approximately one quarter of all fatal collisions on Ontario roads.

Even if your blood alcohol concentration is less than 0.05, you can still be impaired. Small amounts of alcohol, some prescription medications and illegal drugs can impair judgement and put you and others at risk. To ring in 2012 safely, stay overnight, ride with a designated driver, take public transit or call a cab.

Across Ontario, many communities offer free public transit on New Year’s Eve, including GO Transit and the TTC in the Toronto area, OC Transpo in Ottawa, the London Transit Commission and Greater Sudbury Transit. Operation Red Nose volunteers are active in 15 communities across Ontario to give you a ride home.

QUOTES

“We are dedicated to preventing the senseless tragedy caused by impaired drivers – it is completely unacceptable to drink and drive. Enjoy a safe New Year by planning ahead for a safe ride home.”

 – Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure

“While most of us drive sober (thank you!), we like to remind people that collisions involving alcohol are much more likely to cause serious or fatal harm and they can’t be taken back; planning ahead is crucial.”

 –  Anne Leonard
Executive Director, arrive alive DRIVE SOBER

QUICK FACTS

  • Drivers aged 19 to 21 are almost one-and-a-half times more likely to be involved in drinking and driving collisions than older drivers.
  • Getting your blood alcohol concentration back to zero after drinking takes time. Coffee, food or physical exercise will not help you become sober faster.
  • Ontario has the lowest drinking and driving fatality rate in North America.

LEARN MORE

CONTACT

  • David Salter
    Minister’s Office
    647-222-5162

Ministry of Transportation
ontario.ca/transportation

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Have a Safe & Sober Holiday Season: Plan Ahead for a Safe Ride Home in Ontario, Canada