RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Project Red Ribbon (Tie One On for Safety) is the longest-running public awareness campaign for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The Raleigh County SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Chapter has teamed up with MADD to encourage everyone to tie one on for the holidays — that is, a red ribbon on one’s side view car mirror.
We know this time of year is all about parties and celebrating with friends and family and there’s going to be alcohol involved.
“We just want you to make smart decisions when it comes to consuming alcohol for youth and adults,” said Raleigh County SADD Coordinator Kelly Elkins. “Get a designated driver or be a designated driver and make sure that someone gets to celebrate the holidays safely.”
Drunk and drugged driving is prevalent throughout Southern West Virginia, the state, and the country.
“Unfortunately, roughly 35% of our fatalities are because of an impaired driver,” said Beckley Police Department Governor’s Highway Safety Office Regional Coordinator Sgt. Jamie Wilhite. “We need to make sure the public on the roadways know to be respectful and responsible for everybody else on the roadways. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have a designated driver or a (sober friend) taking you home if you’re out and about drinking.”
According to Elkins, 20 years ago she was in a motor vehicle accident and hit by a drunk driver.
“(So) I want to encourage all my friends, family, and my community — let’s just make smart decisions because that was a period of time I will never be able to get back.”
Wilhite says the BPD sees impaired driving arrests every day, evening, and night. The goal is to change the behavior. Unfortunately, there are repeat offenders who do it no matter what.
“If we can reach the youth and new drivers and change the way they look at it and make sure they understand it’s very destructive, it’s very dangerous, it’s very deadly, and it’s very costly; not only for them going through the court process,” said the sergeant.
“But costly if they’re involved in another vehicle crash. So, the more the public can be informed, the better.”
