An initiative to keep impaired drivers off our roads this holiday season launched its 2026 campaign on Friday. Safe Ride Home Sudbury is also appealing for people to donate their time to drive people who have been drinking or feel they may be impaired home, along with their vehicle. Safe Ride Home Sudbury said Greater Sudbury police have been a strong partner since the group began offering the service 28 years ago. The non-profit launched its 2026 season Nov. 6. “Unfortunately, to date here in 2026, 296 individuals have already been charged with impaired driving,” said police chief Sara Cunningham. ‘Staggering number’ “That is a staggering number. Individuals are still choosing to put themselves behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol or drugs. So that is why a program like Safe Ride Home is so important. It’s another alternative.” The confidential, free service offers a team who pick people up who feel they may be impaired and drives them and their own vehicle home. Right now, it needs volunteer drivers. “To volunteer for Safe Ride Home Sudbury, you can come by yourself and we will match you up with a team, or you can come with family and friends and make your own team,” said Lesli Green, Safe Ride Home Sudbury president. “Or even put together a group from your workplace.” Tony McGregor is a volunteer, as are many of his colleagues at Freelandt Caldwell Reilly. The company is a major sponsor of the initiative. “Everybody has a shared responsibility for road safety so we can make it home safely and planning ahead is the important piece to make sure that our community stays safe,” McGregor said. NORCAT provides the office space for the Safe Ride Home Sudbury headquarters. “It fits our mandate to provide safety to the city workers and the community through this program,” said Ed Wisniewski, NORCAT chief technology officer. Volunteers can access information and applications on the Safe Ride Home website. Each season, the service operates with an average of 350 volunteers who travel more than 39,000 kilometres, helping 8,000 people get a safe ride home with their vehicles.
