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Each year, thousands of people make the mistake of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while they have been drinking or using drugs. York Regional Police’s R.I.D.E. program aims to deter motorists from getting behind the wheel while impaired, and to lay charges when they are caught.
The Festive Season R.I.D.E. program is an enhanced version of R.I.D.E. run by the police during the holiday season, and the police chose to hold the kick-off at St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS.
On November 21, Breakfast Television host Kevin Frankish acted as MC, and the audience heard from guest speakers York Catholic Trustee Theresa McNicol, Kylee Goldman of M.A.D.D. Canada, and Saskia Matheson of Allstate Insurance. St. Maximilian Kolbe students Alex MacNeil and Paulo Ruberto, also spoke about the preventable nature of drinking or using drugs before drinking.
“Take a red ribbon and take the commitment to never drive impaired,” said Kylee Goldman. “We want to encourage young drivers to make safe and smart choices.”
Trustee Theresa McNicol spoke about the school’s involvement in helping prevent impaired driving.
“The York Catholic District School Board’s partnership with the R.I.D.E. Program goes back many years,” said Trustee McNicol. “I’m proud that here at York Catholic’s newest high school, St. Maximilian Kolbe’s students have already formed a very active chapter of “Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving.”
The audience was especially moved by keynote speaker Jessica Seymour’s address. Jessica was 17 years old in 2005, when she was at the side of the road changing a flat tire and was struck by an impaired driver and pinned between the two vehicles. York Regional Police officer Anthony Emanuel saw the accident happen and performed emergency first aid to Jessica, saving her life. After the accident, Jessica’s left leg had to be amputated. Jessica spoke about how her life has changed since the accident and warned that many others aren’t as lucky as her and do not survive.
Following the presentation, 25 St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS students signed a Kia Forte that is travelling across Canada collecting pledges to make safe choices when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School also raised and donated $1,350 to M.A.D.D. Canada, to help their efforts to prevent impaired driving.