![['RCMP Cst. Chris Gunn explains the various pieces of equipment inside his patrol car to premier Wade MacLauchlan before heading to a checkstop in Queens County. ']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/rcmp-patrolling-highways-for-canada-road-3086760.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=compress%2Cenhance%2Cformat)
BY CRYSTAL GILLIS
GUEST OPINION
A response to Maria Pochylski, re: RCMP road checks delay concert-goers.
Maria - I just read your letter to the editor on how MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) inconvenienced you on Dec. 1 as you and a friend were heading to supper and a concert. I do apologize for the inconvenience - however I do not apologize for bringing awareness to our Island on such an important matter that hits too close to home.
Dec. 1 was National Impaired Driving Day - and the local RCMP contacted MADD Central to do a roadside spot check - something we don’t decline as they are few and far in between due to the busy work load the RCMP has.
In the past several months, almost on a weekly basis, I have read the Guardian newspaper about another person getting caught for impaired driving. MADD does its best to bring awareness and an hour road side check is minimal and only happens once or maybe twice a year.
I had a lady standing beside me who lost her son by a drunk driver. I myself have lost loved ones by people not thinking before they got behind the wheel. I will assume you have never lost a loved one to this senseless crime and I hope and pray you never do.
Personally, if it was up to me, I'd be doing these road side checks on a monthly basis. I'd much rather have a friend, or family member arrive somewhere late to an event, then to get a phone call saying they were killed by a drunk driver on their way there.
What's it going to take to get people to stop drinking and driving; and now with weed being legal, my fear is stronger.
So, Ms. Pochylski, if you have any suggestions on what we can do, other than a roadside check that was an inconvenience to you, to get our message out, here is my email. I look forward to hearing about it.
But until I see that there are no more impaired drivers on the roads on P.E.I., I will not stop doing our roadside checks. My family and friends are too important to me, not to bring awareness.
P.S. -- We are also planning another roadside check for drunk drivers before Christmas. Perhaps I'll send you the date so it won't inconvenience you next time.
- Crystal Gillis, president of MADD Central P.E.I.
<[email protected]>
