Rudy wants to drive your car

Rudy the Red Nosed Reindeer was a guest of honour at Wednesday's official launch of the holiday RIDE program outside at the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services building.

He's seen here with Paige Cook, the local coordinator of Operation Red Nose.

Okay, it won't be the actual mascot of Operation Red Nose who drives you and your car home when you've inadvertently had a few drinks too many this holiday season.

Instead, a team of three helpful volunteers will find their way to where you are in one of the courtesy vehicles provided by Maple Leaf Motors, Maitland Ford Motors and Great Lakes Honda.

Two of the team members will jump in your car with you when you've had too much to drink.

One will be the navigator and the other will drive you home.

The third will follow you home in the courtesy vehicle to pick up your driver and navigator.

The service is free but they won't refuse donations to help support the program.

Operation Red Nose begins this Friday and runs from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday this weekend.

The service will be offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. until December 17.

The number to call is 705-945-1228.

Cook says the team is aiming the program at responsible people who may not be expecting to have a lot to drink when they go out but, in the course of the evening, have a few more than they planned and realize they aren't fit to drive home.

"When responsible people go out expecting to drink, they leave their vehicles at home," Cook said during the official launch of Operation Red Nose and the Holiday RIDE Program yesterday.

They may not want, or have an option, to leave their cars behind and take a taxi home, Cook said.

Now, for the first time in the Sault and area, they can call Operation Red Nose.

And it's true for people in the area around the Sault, too, said Sault OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Dan Esposto.

Area OPP and RCMP are also participating in the annual Holiday RIDE Program which has seen many impaired drivers removed from behind the wheel before they could seriously injure or kill someone, said Sault Ste. Marie Police Inspector Art Pluss.

Between the efforts of the RIDE program and Operation Red Nose, Pluss said there is no excuse for drinking and driving this holiday season.

The message seems to be getting out there, too.

In 2009, 114 driving while impaired charges where laid in Sault Ste. Marie, he said.

In 2010 that number dropped to 78 and so far this year 57 people have been arrested for driving while impaired by the effects of alcohol.

Pluss said this year is significant because there have been no serious collisions, injuries or deaths from drinking and driving Sault Ste. Marie.

He said he's confident that, with the efforts of volunteers with Operation Red Nose and dedicated police officers staffing the RIDE program roadside check points, we will finish the year with no serious incidents.