Operation Red Nose will be sidelined from Saskatchewan roads this holiday season, although the organization is finding a creative way to still promote safe driving habits by educating people about responsible behaviours to prevent impaired driving through online initiatives.

This will mark the second year in a row the organization hasn’t be able to provide a safe ride service due to the pandemic. Typically, a team of volunteers will pick up your car and take you home safely. Donations are then collected with funds going towards local youth or amateur sport organizations.

SGI’s Tyler McMurchy says there are still a number of ways to find a safe ride home. “Whether it’s taking a cab, a ride share, a designated driving service, public transit, planning to have a safe, sober, designated driver or getting someone out of bed to come get you. Staying over is always an option as well.”

McMurchy says during the holidays last year, there were three people killed and 44 injured in impaired driving collisions in Saskatchewan.

Operation Red Nose is inviting the public to visit their Facebook page during the month of December to discover various posts and online initiatives.

Quebec will offer the safe ride service, although those with Operation Red Nose here in Saskatchewan have opted not to run the safe ride during the second Christmas season of the COVID-19 pandemic.