On December 31, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are preparing their road network for the end of year festivities. Meanwhile, residents of Tignish, including Hal Perry, the leader of the official opposition, are organizing to avoid any accident.
Like every year, Hal Perry is preparing to spend New Year’s Eve behind the wheel of his car. Since 2011, the Liberal MP in Tignish – Palmer Roadand interim leader of the Liberal Party, has made it his mission to drive people home who have had one too many drinks.
The first year, I drove almost 100 people back, I got home at 6 a.m.
From, Hal Perry has made a habit of driving dozens of people back who are intoxicated or unable to get back into their vehicles. Over time, it has expanded its offerings to all year round. He thus accompanies residents of his region after weddings, parties or for any other reason, at any time of the year.
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Every year since 2011, Hal Perry has accompanied dozens of people who have had one too many drinks at home.
Photo: - / Julien Lecacheur
I’m kind of known as the congressman who brings drunk people home, but I hate saying that
he assures. The local MP prefers to emphasize the services he offers. I’m giving people in rural settings an option so they can go out and drink responsibly, knowing they’ll get home safely and our roads will be a little safer
he explains.
Drunk driving, a decreasing or increasing problem?
In northwestern Prince Edward Island, drinking and driving was widespread in the last century. Allan McInnisthe mayor of Tignish remembers his teenage years where alcohol and driving were closely linked.
When I was young, on Fridays and Saturdays, 75% of drivers in the area were drunk.
But mentalities have evolved a lot since then, assures the mayor. Allan McInnisthe first to become aware of the dangers. He has been sober for 20 years, and today, he also offers his services to accompany people who cannot get back behind the wheel.
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According to Allan McInnis, in his youth, 75% of drivers in the region were drunk.
Photo: - / Julien Lecacheur
He also ensures that the educational and prevention messages hammered out by the authorities and various organizations have had a positive effect.
The warnings and advice given over the years have been sobering. Since then, people have become smarter and more aware of the fact that they should not drive drunk
he explains.
The GRC wants to counter the increase in offenses
The figures prove this trend felt by Allan McInnis and by Hal Perry. The latter assures that last year, he only reappointed around thirty people, his lowest total since 2011.
According to the provincial government, offenses related to impaired driving have almost halved in the last 10 years. They went from 424 in 2010 to 233 in 2022. Unfortunately, the GRC noted that they have since started to rise slightly again.
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Gavin Moore is the spokesperson for the RCMP in Prince Edward Island.
Photo : Wayne Thibodeau / CBC
Last year, we had more than 230 driver arrests. We have already made more arrests this year.
To prevent the trend from continuing, the GRC warns residents who want to drink and drive: this year, it will mobilize all its staff. There will be no one in the offices
assure Gavin Moorewho adds that she intends to increase road checks across the four corners of the province.
We want to stop the drivers, but we also want to dissuade islanders from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Everyone will have to make a choice that evening.
