The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Dear Editor: Re: A Christmas Journey to Remember Season's Greetings! As once a resident of Flin Flon for many years, I have experienced the joys and sorrows of living in the "North" and travelling on our fantastic roads. On my journey back to Flin Flon to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends this year, I have thought back to the many times I have been asked by friends from my "current home" outside of Manitoba; "How is the drive back home?" I've repeated many times: "It is long and I try to travel early in the morning or during the day because of the fear of drunk drivers." Today, I was travelling down the Hanson Lake Road to Creighton, my brother and I noticed some beer bottles on the side of the road. My first thought came to the emphasis that is put on driving safe during the holidays. As we got to Deschambault Lake turnoff we noticed more and more on the side of the road. 1,... 2,.. 15,... 35,... 63 we counted from there to just outside of Creighton. Yes, that is correct, you did read 63 beer bottles and cans that we counted along with five empty beer cases. The only police enforcement we saw was coming out of Creighton as we arrived in Creighton. I was outraged and went straight to the police station, only to be told that the officers would be informed of this. No file would be written up, not that I expected one, but no real action was taken either. I was told that it was likely the bottles were from the passengers and not the driver. If caught they would be charged. Great because that is what we should be really focusing on? thank goodness it is the passengers! Check stops have not been enforced due to the cold weather; however, that does not seem to deter the drunk drivers. We are all responsible for ensuring the safety of others. It is stressed over and over during the holiday season. Red Nose Alert, Designated Drivers, If You Drink Don't Drive! But does it really help? Obviously not, to the fullest extent! The numbers prove my point. Sixty-three. This person or persons may or may not have killed someone on their "drunken joy ride," but how many of these drunk drivers are out there? Those who are, do it over and over again only to receive hundreds of dollars in fines. But what about those who drive drunk and have killed innocent victims, who are out and about with the rest of us this holiday season? Killers, who are enjoying the Christmas fun while those of us who have lost friends and family take time to remember that we are without them this season. Is this fair? Why is the message not being heard. Is it not enough to be a murderer? A slap on the wrist, driver's license taken away, and the "enforcement" rules are unable to successfully stop those who carelessly take my life in their hands by their own irresponsible actions every time I go out on that road. I too have lived here for many years, I remember the cold, cold weather. We have snowsuits and toques - isn't our time better spent on prevention than "hoping to get out there in action tomorrow or the next day when it warms up," - by then it may be too late! Please do not think I do not appreciate and respect what the police force are doing to help prevent and aid this situation and others. We need more enforcement officers around our northern communities. We, as a community, need to work together to stop this. Sixty-three... The road conditions are enough to worry about, we do not need to worry if the person in front of us or coming towards us is under the influence. I am more thankful than I have ever been before that I have made it home for the holidays. But will I make it back... Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this message will get through to someone. - A 23-year-old student wanting to be home for the holidays!
