Buckled up: Operation Red Nose helps revelers get home 

Drivers have access to free and safe transportation during the holidays

Djeneba Dosso 

Quebec’s traditional accompaniment campaign is underway. For party-goers who need their car home safely after festivities, a safe option is available. Since 1984, Operation Red Nose has offered a free safe return home to over 2 million people. Now, fifty local organizations have joined them in the deployment of the emblematic initiative. 

“In forty years, Operation Red Nose has been the scene of the incredible dedication of thousands of volunteers, a powerful testimony of solidarity,” said Operation Red Nose founding president Jean-Marie de Koninck. “Their commitment is the pillar of our organization’s success and keeps road safety at the heart of our concerns at this festive time of year.”

Each ride provided by volunteers is free. Donations and tips contribute to the financial support of the non-profit organization. Long-standing partners including Desjardins and SAAQ have also played a role in the success of the campaign, resulting in the “well-being of road users and their communities.”

“Our two organizations are ally around a common goal: to make Quebec’s roads safer,” added SAAQ president and CEO Éric Ducharme.  

Quebecers are invited to be part of the festivities whether it is done through volunteering or calling 1-866-DESJARDINS to use their transportation services. 

Operation Red Nose is still welcoming volunteers to register to help prevent impaired driving during the holidays.  

“In December, as throughout the year, it is important to keep in mind that if you have consumed alcohol or drugs, even in moderate quantities, it is always more prudent not to drive and to opt for a responsible and safe alternative, such as Operation Red Nose,” advised Ducharme.