MADD Sarnia-Lambton will launch its annual white crosses campaign this weekend to bring attention to lives lost by impaired driving.
Those willing to hammer crosses into the ground are asked to attend the East Street Fire Hall at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to bring their own mallet.
Local chapter President Erin Pollard said 270 white crosses will be erected to signify the number of deaths in Canada during the holiday season due to impaired driving.
"It's just a visual of realizing the consequences of drinking and driving throughout the holiday season," she said.
There is no excuse to get behind the wheel while impaired as Pollard said there are several transit options available.
"Our stats are saying that this year, we're up in our impaired driving, whether it be under the influence of drugs or alcohol," she said. "Considering that we're coming out of a pandemic where we've been locked down for months, it's not good news. There's more accidents, there's more risks to people on the roads."
The local MADD chapter cited Sarnia police which reported 79 impaired charges laid so far from the beginning of the year to October 31. In 2020, MADD said a total of 76 impaired charges were laid by Sarnia Police Service.
MADD also said Lambton OPP reported 106 impaired driving charges from the beginning of the year through to November 8, which compares to 100 impaired charges laid in 2020.
Saturday's White Cross dedication will take place rain or shine. A brief ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Pollard said due to COVID-19, this year's ceremony will be scaled back and public health measures will be observed.
"We will have speakers, we will have the crosses being blessed, and it's probably not even a 15 minute ceremony," she said.
MADD's red ribbon campaign, which represents a commitment to sober driving, will run until the first Monday of the new year.