Opération Nez Rouge

The 41st Opération Nez Rouge offers a safe ride home starting Nov. 29

Cassandra Kerwin

cassandra@qctonline.com

Looking for a ride home during the holiday season? Call Opération Nez Rouge from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31. For a 41st straight year, thousands of volunteers will safely drive people home for free or for a donation in 70 communities across the country including 50 in Quebec.

Inspired by its mission and history for this year’s theme, Opération Nez Rouge wants to ensure that people have “a night you’ll remember.” Jean- Marie De Koninck, president and founder of Opération Nez Rouge, invited drivers to volun- teer or to call for a ride home.

Last year, 22,600 volunteers gave 24,000 rides, helping take impaired drivers off the road. According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), accidents due to alcohol caused an average of 85 deaths and 200 serious injuries each year from 2017 to 2021.

“There is an awareness among young people compared to my time. In the ‘80s, it was not common and Nez Rouge was just starting, but if I look at my children, it is clear that they already know in advance who will be the designated driver for the weekend,” said the president and CEO of the SAAQ and honorary president of the 41st Operation Nez Rouge, Éric Ducharme.

“As Operation Nez Rouge begins its 41st campaign, the importance of our mission remains clear. Without the volunteers’ unwavering commitment, the true pillars of our organization, it could not have been accomplished,” said De Koninck. “Together, we play a crucial role in improving road safety, year after year, by offering a drive-home service that saves lives and raises aware- ness of the dangers of impaired driving.”

Hoping to reach the younger crowd, Opération Nez Rouge partnered with stand-up comic and podcaster Rosalie Vaillancourt. “Nez Rouge belongs to us and is part of us as Quebecers, so I’m happy to get involved. It shows how much it is part of our values to care for our families,” she said. “Nez Rouge helps take a weight off your shoulders, knowing that there’s a plan if my uncle has had too much crème de menthe, if my sister has smoked too much weed behind the garage or if my cousin hasn’t slept for three days because he just had a baby.”

For whatever reason people need a lift home in December, volunteers are key to this operation. “Recruiting volunteers has always been our hobby horse. The more volunteers we have, the better our service will be. It’s always a challenge, but we’re lucky to have a positive reputation and we have a very festive connotation,” said Marilyn Vigneault, the executive director of Opération Nez Rouge

“For now, we’re doing pretty well after 41 years.”

For more information, visit operationnezrouge.com or call 1-866-DESJARDINS.