The Plug Has Been Pulled On Operation Red Nose This Holiday Season
Founded in 1984, Operation Red Nose is a unique December-only designated driver program. The holiday-based safe ride service is free. However, many of its users have opted to offer donations to the volunteers who drive them home safely. The initiative has provided safe drives home to over 100 communities throughout Canada. However, Operation Red Nose won’t be celebrating its 40th anniversary in our part of town.
As recently reported by Janis Cleugh for Burnaby Now, Operation Red Nose will not be running in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby and New Westminster this year. According to Coquitlam coordinator, Jackie Weinkam, the service generated less than $6,000 for KidSport Tri-Cities last year. Operation Red Nose, in fact, has been experiencing challenges ever since the start of the pandemic in 2020. That year, both Uber and Lyft were cleared to operate in the Lower Mainland.
Operation Red Nose is no longer busy.
“We didn’t run until 2022 and people had already starting using (Uber and Lyft) as a way to get home,” Weinkam is quoted as saying in Cleugh’s article. She goes on to report that many Operation Red Nose volunteers returned for an 8-night run in 2023. However, calls were down and donations were minimal. The yearly service had been known to raise upwards of $16,000 for KidSport Tri-Cities in the past.
“I know that it was not the full purpose to make tonnes of money for KidSport,” says Weinkam, “But when your phones all of a sudden stop ringing at 1 a.m., you have to call it like it is. We used to be so busy that we would have teams return at 5 a.m. from doing trips.” Cleugh notes that Operation Red Nose will continue in Chilliwack and Abbotsford in partnership with ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia).
Your friends at MyDDride continue to be available!
All throughout the holiday season and beyond, you can trust our team to get you home safely when you need us. This is a particularly busy time of year for us given all of the holiday parties that people like to attend. Of course, these occasions are commonly known for its offerings of alcoholic beverages. Allow us to make perfectly clear that, under no circumstances, should anyone drive home after drinking.
Alcohol impairs your ability to make quick decisions, slows reaction times and affects coordination. Even small amounts of alcohol can reduce your driving ability. The effects compound quickly, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
“If your activities involve drinking, plan ahead for a safe ride home,” insists ICBC, “When you drive impaired, you not only risk your life but the lives of others on the road...Of fatal crashes, 21% involve impaired driving. That means every year in B.C., 61 people die in crashes involving impaired driving.”
Preplanning is important.
Before you head out to your next holiday party, consider how you’re going to get home if you plan on drinking. The MyDDride team makes it easy by driving you home in your own vehicle. Therefore, you can always drive to your party destination without worrying about driving yourself home.
When it comes to convenience, comfort and reliability, MyDDride is the go-to option for Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley residents. Our luxury designated driving services ensure you and your vehicle make it home safely, every time. Call or text us at 604-283-8532 to book your safe ride home this holiday season. You may also fill out the form on our Contact page!
