Drive Safe ! Drive Sober !

In keeping with this mission, MADD Annapolis Valley has introduced a number of national programs to the Valley area.

Project Red Ribbon

Project Red Ribbon is one of the most widely recognized endeavours of MADD. After a mid November "kick off" to publicize the event, boxes of red ribbon are placed in many stores and businesses and people are encouraged to take a ribbon and make a small donation. By tying the ribbons on their vehicles, the public helps to promote the message that impaired driving deaths are needless tragedies and totally preventable.

The campaign takes place over the Christmas season, and in cooperation with local municipal police forces and the RCMP, ribbons are also given out at roadside checkpoints.

During the holiday season, when you see a box of red ribbons, remember to

Signs of Summer

The Signs of Summer Program, which takes place during the summer months, promotes awareness of the dangerous consequences of drinking and driving during the summer months. Crash rates are particularly high in the months of June, July and August.

Prior to the critical time period surrounding high school graduations and summer vacations, MADD members canvass local businesses who have outdoor signs, asking them to "donate" their signs to display a slogan promoting safe driving, and when many businesses participate it sends a powerful message to the general public.

The campaign has been supplemented in recent years with a program of newspaper advertisements, radio and cable TV spots and an annual theme poster.

Victim Services

MADD Annapolis Valley is also involved in assisting victims of impaired driving crashes. This can vary from providing guidance on what to expect during the legal process, to supplying appropriate reading material to a person who has suffered a serious injury or to a family trying to cope with the lost of a loved one. Three of our members have completed MADD's Level II Victims' Advocacy Training.

Additional Services

MADD Annapolis Valley has recognized a need for public education in the Valley area on the dangers of drinking and driving. In that regard, MADD Annapolis Valley is developing a libary of high impact videos available on a loan basis (excellent for high school students). In addition, several members who have been personally affected by incidents involving impaired drivers have made presentations to:

1. High School Groups
2. Driver training classes
3. Inmates at Kings County Correctional Facility

New Initiatives

In 1998-99, MADD Annapolis Valley partnered with RCMP Highway Patrol in the Highway 101 project. The chapter provided cellular phones and air time to the highway patrol division. In the summer of 1999, MADD Annapolis Valley provided lifejackets to the New Minas Detachment's Inland Waters Patrol Program.

In the spring of 1999 MADD Annapolis Valley sponsored showings of the multimedia production "Twenty 1" at both Windsor Regional and Central Kings in what was scheduled to be a start for all area high schools on a three year rotation basis. This year's presentation is titled "Crash Course". Discussions with school principals will determine dates and locations for showings in the spring of 2000.

Also in the spring of 1999, MADD Annapolis Valley acquired four pairs of "Fatal Vision" glasses. These glassess simulate the effects of impairment and are useful in working with youth and adults to convey the experience of impairment while remaining sober. The glasses and resource materials are avaiable for booking through the New Minas RCMP detachment.

How to join MADD

MADD Annapolis Valley is currently recruiting new members. It is a common misconception that you have to be a mother to join. Not true! If you are a concerned member of the general public, or you would like further information on any aspect of MADD, please feel free to contact us at:

Supported by
Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre
Technical Resource Centre