MADD RIBBONS HELP FIGHT DRUNKEN DRIVERS

The Cape Girardeau County Mothers Against Drunk Driving Community Action Team has kicked off its annual MADD red-ribbon campaign.

Team members Tony McLain and Mildred Held and Sharee Galnore of the Cape Girardeau Police Department tied ribbons on school buses at Ryder Transportation Monday. Galnore and Bettie Knoll, victims' rights advocate for the police department, are co-chairmen of the team.

"This is the first year that the bus company has participated in the red-ribbon campaign," said Galnore, coordinator of the safe communities program for the police department.

Drivers helped install ribbons on about 80 buses. Ribbons are also attached to the city's police squad cars and will be made available to the city fire department.

The campaign runs through New Year's Day.

Thousands of red ribbons will be distributed through schools, churches, hospitals and law enforcement agencies.

MADD asks that motorists "tie one on" their car antennas or mirrors of their vehicles.

Galnore said the ribbons are to remind all motorists not to drink and drive.

"We like to remind the public of that, especially around the holiday season," said Galnore.

"The message is don't drink and drive," she said. "Of course, that's the message all year long, not just during the holiday season."

Ribbons are available at the Cape Girardeau and Jackson police departments and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department.

"We'll be distributing about 10,000 ribbons," said Galnore.

Galnore said holiday gatherings might include alcohol, so it is a good time for MADD to remind motorists to act responsibly.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department has been displaying the red ribbons in conjunction with MADD for eight years.

The state chapter of the organization pays for the thousands of ribbons, and the local MADD chapter and police department distribute them.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said 266 people were killed in Missouri in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 1995, and 7,333 more were injured.

Alcohol-related traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in the U.S., said the National Safety Council.

"We want to put highway safety at the top of our gift-giving list this holiday season," said Galnore. "Tie a red ribbon on for safety, buckle up, and remember: Friends don't let friends drive drunk."