A Legacy of Loss: Combatting Impaired Driving in Charlotte County

Cpl. Jayson Hansen's mother, Beryl Hansen, was tragically killed by an impaired driver in 1999.

Now, 25 years later, her memory remains with him as he works to keep the people of Charlotte County safe.

"She was walking in the ditch, facing traffic—the safest place to be—when she was struck and killed by a driver suspected of being impaired by drugs and alcohol," said Cpl. Hansen of the St. Andrews RCMP. "He was convicted of criminal negligence causing death and sentenced to five years in a penitentiary in Manitoba."

Hansen reflected on the devastating impact of losing a loved one to a preventable crime.

"It was a life-changing moment. For our family, there’s a clear divide—life before the incident and life after."

Tony Munn, a member of MADD Charlotte County, has experienced a similar loss. His 19-year-old niece, who had dreams of becoming a nurse, was killed by an impaired driver on her way home from work.

"It was my brother’s daughter, and the loss still affects him deeply," Munn said. "That was in 1991, and even now, it hasn’t gone away."

Hansen and Munn were part of a ceremony launching the Red Ribbon Campaign from November 1 to January 6. Tying a red ribbon or attaching a decal to a vehicle is a pledge to never drive impaired.

Impaired driving continues to devastate lives in Charlotte County, where impaired drivers have killed at least two people in the past year. Over the weekend, another driver was arrested in St. Stephen for impairment. Across Canada, impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death and injury and the primary factor in serious road crashes.

The message from all involved in the campaign is clear: if you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1.