If you're planning to drink this holiday season, you should know about Operation Red Nose.
The non-profit kicked off its 28th annual road safety campaign in Burnaby today, Nov. 9 — the 10th hosted by Operation Red Nose Burnaby.
From Nov. 24 to Dec. 31, thousands of volunteers will don the red vest marking them as drivers who give safe rides home to those who've had a bit too much to drink.
Jackie Weinkam, Operation Red Nose coordinator for Burnaby, New West and the Tri-Cities, said the organization is looking forward to another successful campaign of encouraging responsible behaviour to prevent impaired driving.
When you call the Operation Red Nose number, a team of three volunteers will come out to pick you up. Two will drive you home in your vehicle, and a third volunteer will follow in their own vehicle.
Shabnem Afzal, ICBC's director of road safety, said 61 people are killed every year due to impaired driving and 1,400 people are injured.
"These aren't just numbers," Afzal said at a news conference.
"These are people; they are members of our community, and they all have families. So the best thing to do is always plan ahead when you're going out to party or enjoy the festivities and have a drink."
Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj said the number of death on the road every year due to impaired driving paint a grim picture.
"If you choose to drive impaired, you're risking losing your licence, you're going to be winding up in jail, killing someone or yourself."
He said the RCMP will be doing road checks and pulling cars over to ensure people are not driving impaired.
Kalanj thanked drivers that choose not to drive impaired.
"You're making the decision to keep everyone on the road safe," he said, adding, "You're guaranteeing that your family is going to be able to see you the next day."
Rides by Operation Red Nose are by donation, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to local youth and amateur sports projects.
All the money that gets raised in the Burnaby, Tri-Cities, New West and Ridge Meadows goes to KidSport Tri-Cities, which provides grants to families who are struggling financially to register their kids in sports.
"When you use the service, not only are you getting yourself and your car home safely, you're also helping raise money for important organizations around the province, like KidSport," said Chris Wilson, chair of KidSport Tri-Cities.
Wilson, who is also a volunteer for Operation Red Nose encouraged people to volunteer for the road safety program, noting you can meet great friends and "amazing clients" — who are "usually very entertaining" while driving them home.
Burnaby councillor and acting mayor Alison Gu said the initiative keeps people safe and makes planning for holiday events easier.
"To ensure that everyone can celebrate with their loved ones alive and well is the best gift that we can collectively give each other, this and every holiday season," Gu said.
In B.C., the safe ride service will be available in Burnaby, New Westminster, Tri-Cities, Ridge Meadows, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George and Williams Lake.
Those who want to volunteer can visit the Operation Red Nose website.
The Operation Red Nose phone numbers and hours of operation are available on its website and mobile phone app.
