MADD calls for 911 drunk driving program in Winnipeg

A victims rights group is pushing for a new police program in Winnipeg to combat drunk driving in the city aftera 71-year-old woman was killed in a crash on Saturday.

Emergency crews rushed to McPhillips Street and William Avenue Saturday afternoon to find a seven-vehicle collision.

Several people were taken away on stretchers, including a 71-year-old woman who later died.

A 29-year-old Winnipeg man was arrested at the scene and now faces charges of impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm and refusal to take a breathalyzer test.

Wayne Bodnarchuk volunteersfor Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a national victims rights group.

The group estimates about four Canadians are killed by a drunk driver every day, and Bodnarchuk said the problem is getting worse.

"Last couple of years its actually going up. Were really scared about that," he said.

Recently, MADD has been pushing Winnipeg police to implement a program that allows drivers to call 911 to report suspected drunk drivers, with the aim of getting them off the road as soon as possible.

Similar programs exist in Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Thompson.

"Unfortunately, 911 is a program thats quite busy and because they havent actually put these resources in effect, its not being done to the same degree [in Winnipeg]," said Bodnarchuk.

Police in Brandon introduced its program in 2011 and have noticed a big difference, said Const. Ron Burgess.

"We've noticed a significant increase in 911 calls regarding impaired drivers," Burgess said.

"For example, in 2010 we had seven calls in relation to impaired drivers, and that jumped to 197 in the year 2011."

Bodnarchuk said he wants to see more done in the capital city to prevent future deaths. He lost his nephew, Brett Yasinsky, in a similar crash in 2010.

"It almost brings you right back. Its something you dont forget," he said.

And until more is done to combat the problem, Bodnarchuk and MADD plan to continue lobbying.