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ns id eh al to n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T h u rs d a y , Ja n u a ry 1 1 ,2 0 1 8 | o> - EDITORIAL - Don't be a statistic in 2018 We urge everyone to help keep our roads safe in 2018 by planning ahead to catch a ride with a sober/designat­ ed driver or calling for a taxi when drinking. Impaired driving is the largest criminal cause of death in Canada - don't become a statistic. According to (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) MADD, crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs are a leading cause of death in Canada. On average, approximately four people are killed each day in crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs. In 2013, there were a total of 2,430 crash deaths on public roads, involving at least one highway vehicle. In fact, there's more people killed on the nation's roads than by firearms. A constant flow of impaired driving press releases arrive at our office from local police, and the courthouse is overflowing with such cases. A total of 58 motorists in Halton were charged with impaired driving by this region's police service in De­ cember. Don't be foolish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking, or doing drugs, and stop friends and family from doing the same. Preventing them from doing so may not only save their lives, but the life of an innocent person they may come across. As for party hosts, MADD Canada reminds them civil suits related to impaired driving have been brought against schools, universities, municipalities, social clubs, employers and more. You share responsibility for the actions of your guests. The organization suggests hosts make sure there are non-alcoholic options available for guests; keep designated drivers sober; have some extra cash around in case you need to send someone home in a taxi; and make sure there's somewhere for overnight guests to stay Let people sleep in the next morning and invite them to stay for breakfast before heading home. Studies show people may still be under the influence in the morning, even if they don't feel that they are. Remember that drinking and driving is a year-round problem. New Year's is the perfect time to make a resolu­ tion that throughout 2018 you will be responsible on the roads surrounding alcohol use. It's also a good time to remember to be a wise party host, winter, summer, spring and fall. To find out where the December impaired driving arrests were made, see our tracking map on insidehal- ton.com. ABOUT US The Oakville Beaver, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. o°© °o m etrolandm edia • Connected to your community* The Oakville Beaver is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca nnc Apcna In iideHalton.com • editor@oakvillebeaver.com E facebook.com/OakvilleBeav Q @OakvilleBeaver ■ LETTERS & COMMENTARY- letters to the editor online at Fare Share says thanks Oakville I expect the reason we have been so well-support­ ed is because we are a non­ profit organization and registered charity, run en­ tirely by volunteers, and have been helping the needy families of our com­ munity since 1988. We neither receive nor solicit help from any level of government, but depend entirely on community support, and support us they did. Citizens feel com­ fortable trusting us with their food and monetary donations, and Christmas 2017, they went over the top. We will continue to sort food donations well into January, but have the won­ derful problem of running short of storage space and • MORE ONLINE See all our published insidehalton.com storage boxes. This has never happened with past food drives. We have always been concerned that we will run short of certain items be­ ginning in March, prog­ ressing right through the summer months. This year, our only concern is rice and powdered laundry detergent. Most other items are in good supply. From all of the volun­ teers at Oakville's Fare Share Food Bank, a very Happy New Year and our sincere thanks to all of the citizens of Oakville. Thank you most sin­ cerely, Nancy Bromberg, Volunteer president, Fare Share Food Bank Reader says thank you I would like to relate to you an extreme act of kind­ ness extended to me on Thursday, Dec. 26. I went to meet my 12- year-old grandson from the train at Bronte Station but to my chagrin, I could not find him. I looked up and down the three platforms, but he was not to be found. I spoke to a wonderful GO Transit employee, in the ticket booth, who immedi­ ately put me at ease. He could see how distressed I was, so he calmed me down and assured me we would find him. He contacted Oakville station to check whether my grandson had alighted there by mistake, and he had an associate call my grandson's name over the loudspeaker - all this to no avail. He then offered to walk the three platforms to look for him. He was successful. Jonathan had walked out­ side to look for my car, so did not hear the announce­ ment. This wonderful man's name is Don. I want to publicly thank Don for his concern and his quick action on a bitterly cold night, when he could easily have chosen to stay warm in his ticket booth. To him and the other GO Tran­ sit staff involved in this situ­ ation, a very Happy New Year to you, and may you be equally blessed with such kindness as I have experi­ enced from you. Ann Rogers, Oakville CONTACT US WHO WE ARE Oakville Beaver 2-5046 Mainway Burlington, ON L7L 5Z1 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. A c c r d d i t e FDSAWAccredited VP and Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional General Manager Kelly Montague kmontague@metroland.com | 289-293-0614 Managing Editor Angela Blackburn ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com | 289-293-0617 Circulation Manager Kim Mossman kmossman@metroland.com | 905-631-6095 Director Advertising Daniel Baird dbaird@metroland.com 289-293-0624 http://www.mediacouncil.ca mailto:editor@oakvillebeaver.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com mailto:kmontague@metroland.com mailto:ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com mailto:dbaird@metroland.com Don't be a statistic in 2018 ABOUT US °o metrolandmedia CONTACT US WHO WE ARE