That is how Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino described the act of driving while impaired.
Fantino was a special guest at the Lick Impaired Driving 2008 launch held at the Nottawasaga Inn Centre Ice Sportsplex Sunday.
Lick Impaired Driving is a project that leaves a lollipop with a card on the tables at local establishments that serve alcohol. The card is a reminder to plan ahead if you are going to be drinking and has the phone number for both the Nottawasaga Inn and Alliston Cabs.
The project is the result of the cooperation of two individuals and two local agencies.
OPP public liaison officer Melody Tourigny and Patricia Middlebrook of Alliston Community Policing came up with the idea and started the project in 2005 as a way to increase awareness of the dangers of taking the wheel after you've been drinking.
Several local businesses have also joined the project as sponsors.
Fantino said that deaths caused by impaired driving are all preventable accidents.
"If these fatalities were caused by airplane crashes or the result of some other kind of failure in public safety, there would be a huge public outcry," he said.
Although the number of fatalities on OPP patrolled highways is down by 157 this year, some drivers don't seem to grasp the serious results that can happen from negligent driving he said.
There have been numerous drivers stopped for doing over 200 kilometres per hour on a public road in Ontario. Forty of those individuals have been caught a second time and four of those drivers have been stopped for the same offence a third time.
Recently appointed Nottawasaga OPP Detatchment Commander Dirk Cockburn said local police are dedicated to keeping the roads safe for motorists.
"In 2000 there were nine fatalities per year (in the region). We were down to three in 2007 and two in 2008, and we are hoping to stay at the number for the year," he said.
Inside the Sportsplex there were several information booths dealing with drunk driving including an insurance company display featuring photos of the results of impaired driving accidents.
In addition a number of local dignitaries were there to support the launch and some celebrities. Legendary NHL hockey star Eddie Shack and former NHL player and current Alliston Hornets head coach Darrin Shannon added a celebrity presence to the event. There was an opportunity to skate with Shannon and several Hornets players in Sportsplex.
The Lick Impaired Driving program will continue through the year with the simple message of keeping our community safe.
