Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) hopes to place signs asking drivers to call 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver on the road in Parksville.
Margarita Bernard, who gave a presentation to council on behalf of the MADD Comox Valley chapter, said the organization will pay for the cost of producing and installing the signs.
Bernard’s husband was killed by a drunk driver while the two were walking on the sidewalk in Courtenay in 2016. She said the signs are designed to combat the misperception that reporting a suspected impaired driver is not an appropriate reason to call 911.
“We try to stop these tragedies, like mine, which destroyed a good man,” she said. “I think these kind of events or tragedies can be prevented.”
Bernard said the program has already been approved by Oceanside RCMP. The signs say report impaired drivers (RID) by pulling over and calling 911. They are approved roadway signs and the same quality as others in use — metal, reflective and coated.
“You’ve touched my heart. Thank you very much for your presentation and I’m sorry about your loss,” said Coun. Marilyn Wilson.
Council unanimously passed Wilson’s motion to receive the presentation for information and will discuss the initiative at a future meeting.
