First Roadside Memorial Sign on Hwy 407 Honours Victim of Impaired Driving

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - December 05, 2015) - It should have been a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend for Carol Ann Grimmond and her family. She was home from Windsor for a holiday visit and to attend her grandfather's 99^th birthday party. But tragedy struck on that Saturday night in 2012.

She was returning from the birthday party, in a car driven by her twin brother Colin, when they were struck by an impaired driver who was travelling the wrong way on Highway 407, near Highway 403 in Oakville. Colin was injured. Carol Ann died in the hospital.

On Saturday, December 5^th, a roadside memorial was unveiled to honour Carol Ann's memory and to serve as a powerful reminder to motorists about the dangers and tragic consequences of impaired driving. The sign, featuring her name and a MADD Canada red ribbon image, is located on the westbound side of Highway 407, at Lower Baseline Rd.

Carol Ann's mother Gladys Grimmond, cousins Roger Grimmond and Emerson Williams, and best friend Eleanor Hendrickson joined representatives from MADD Canada, the Ministry of Transportation Ontario and regional and provincial police for the special tribute.

"Our family would like to thank MADD Canada, the Ministry of Transportation Ontario and Highway 407 for their efforts to place this roadside sign as a tribute to Carol Ann," said Ms. Grimmond. "One person's terrible decision to drive impaired took her away and devastated our family. We hope this sign will serve as an awareness and education tool about the perils of impaired driving. We hope it makes people vow to never drive impaired."

Impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death in Canada, killing between 1,250 and 1,500 people each year. Another 63,000 people are injured in impairment-related crashes each year.

MADD Canada has collaborated with the Ministry of Transportation to erect two other memorial signs on provincial highways, in Sudbury and in Newmarket. Some local municipalities also have their own memorial sign programs.

"These signs are both a symbol of remembrance for the innocent victims of impaired driving, and a valuable awareness tool to impress upon motorists the importance of always driving sober," said Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Murie acknowledged the Ministry of Transportation and Highway 407 for their partnership in this effort. "On behalf of Carol Ann's family, and MADD Canada, we thank the Ministry of Transportation and Highway 407 for their leadership on this initiative, and for the compassion and support towards victims of impaired driving."

About MADD Canada
MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. To learn more, visit www.madd.ca.