Getting MADD about Halloween safety

Don't let your Halloween celebrations come to a shrieking halt! Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) wants all Halloween revellers to ask themselves before heading out to their social this week; who do I want to drive me home tonight?

MADD Canada was at Casa Loma in Toronto this week, to tell people to 'dress to kill' this weekend and on the 31st - for parties, not for an intoxicated drive home. The occasion in front of the storied castle included the grim reaper hovering over an opened hearse and an angel guiding people to waiting taxis.

"Plan your transportation to and from your parties," said Margaret Miller, MADD Canada's president. "If you find that you have had too much, call #TAXI and get a cab home. The devil in you might say "I'm all right to drive", but take a cab.

"This Halloween, we want people who are drinking to pocket their keys, or better yet, just leave the car at home, and call #TAXI to safely skulk from one haunt to another."

Michael Sachter, vice president of CellWand Communications, joined MADD Canada in urging people to not get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking.

"Hailing a taxi is easier today than ever before," he said. "Program #TAXI into your cell phone and then a safe ride is only a click away. With this service, there's really no reason to drink and drive."

Call #TAXI (# 8-2-9-4) from a cell phone and you are connected to the first available taxi company or the taxi company of your choice and you'll never get a busy signal - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in Canada for the same price or less than 411.

The company is the title sponsor of MADD's Campaign 911 - a national initiative to empower Canadians to call 911 and report to police any suspected impaired driver. The #TAXI program also is a sponsor of MADD Canada's high school multimedia show and its annual Project Red Ribbon campaign.