Plan for a safe ride home this holiday season

Operation Red Nose - Call us, we'll drive you in your own car for free

FREDERICTON, NB, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - Again this holiday season, Operation Red Nose (ORN) and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) - supported by hundreds of dedicated volunteers - are making sure partygoers and their cars get home safely.

During the holidays, plan your safe ride home. Operation Red Nose encourages partygoers to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver, staying overnight or calling a relative, a cab or ORN for a ride.

ORN will get partygoers home safely in their own vehicles for free. In New Brunswick , the service will be offered on weekends from November 27 to December 31 in five communities: Moncton, Oromocto-Burton, Péninsule Acadienne, Saint John and - new this year - Fredericton.

The ORN program is recognized in the province as an excellent and practical way for communities to fight impaired driving during the holiday season. During the 2008 season, campaigns throughout New Brunswick also raised $32,800 for community groups and initiatives province-wide.

"Operation Red Nose increases public awareness about making responsible choices, while enjoying the season," said Bill Adams , IBC's Vice-President, Atlantic. "Our goal is to keep the festive season festive by preventing the needless tragedies that result from impaired driving. Operation Red Nose is a natural extension of our industry's long-term commitment to road safety, and we are delighted to be a part of this important program for another year in New Brunswick ."

Operation Red Nose is proud to be able to count on the support of Alcool NB Liquor for a third consecutive campaign. In addition to supporting the program financially, the provincial partner also hosts an awareness campaign in its stores throughout New Brunswick . Soon, ANBL stores will be decorated with posters bearing the Operation Red Nose trademark encouraging their customers to plan a safe ride home ahead of time. In the communities where Operation Red Nose is present, clients will also be able to get Operation Red Nose business cards to remind them of the dates of operation and the phone number to dial in order to get the service.

Operation Red Nose and volunteers

Operation Red Nose would not be able to provide its safe-ride-home service in New Brunswick without the help of hundreds of volunteers who donate their time as drivers, phone operators and coordinators during one of the busiest times of the year.

"Volunteering for Operation Red Nose is certainly a tangible way to serve your community while having a great time during the holidays," said Jean-Marie De Koninck, Founding President of ORN.

ORN invites everyone in Fredericton, Moncton, Oromocto-Burton, Péninsule Acadienne and Saint John to experience this service as a volunteer for one night - or more! Anyone interested in volunteering can download an application form at www.operationrednose.com or www.ibc.ca.

Operation Red Nose in Canada

The famous Operation Red Nose service will be bringing its program to a total of eight provinces this holiday season: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick , Quebec , Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia and for the first time, Saskatchewan. All together, more than 100 communities across Canada will be offering the ORN service this holiday season.

Since 1984, no less than 787,940 Operation Red Nose volunteers have provided a total of 1,506,421 rides in Canada . In New Brunswick , 1,997 volunteers took part in the 2008 campaign, providing 2,786 rides to partygoers in the province. The ORN service is free, but donations are accepted and will be given to local youth or amateur sport organizations.

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada . The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $38 billion .

For further information: For Insurance Bureau of Canada, please contact: Amanda Dean, IBC Atlantic, [phone] ext 225, [email protected]; For Operation Red Nose, please contact: Aurélie Levy, Director of Communications & Marketing, Operation Red Nose, [email protected], [phone]