Operation Red Nose safe option for holiday ride home
LAURIE BRAND, CONTRIBUTOR

Operation Red Nose has organized designated drivers during the holidays since 1995. THE PROJECTOR/ Laurie Brand
Operation Red Nose began their seasonal campaign of driving people home safely on Nov. 27
“The app will provide them with the phone number for the closest Operation Red Nose, provide volunteer information and let them take their picture with Rudy and share,” said Sharra Hinton, Operation Red Nose Coordinator.
Manitoba Public Insurance reports licensed drivers ages 25 to 44 accounted for 51 per cent of the impaired driving convictions in 2013, which has dropped 45 per cent since 1993.
“Operation Red Nose is there to make sure everyone enjoys the holidays and gets home safely,” said Hinton. Volunteers at Operation Red Nose can be from 18 to 70 years old.
“They come to Operation Red Nose because they want to help out and give back to the community,” said Hinton. “They work in teams of three, oftentimes with their friends or family. Others come on their own and meet others there and form long-lasting friendships.”
On Nov. 5, Operation Red Nose dropped a car from a 21-metre-high crane in La Broquerie to show the impact of a crash going 60 kilometres per hour. Once it hit the ground, the front end of the car was crushed completely.
Operation Red Nose has helped over 30,000 people get home safe. The service hopes to help more people think ahead and make good decisions about getting home safely with the introduction of the new app, said Hinton.