Purple ribbons have been placed at the intersection of Indian Rd. and Exmouth St. as a reminder to not drink and drive.
The Lambton Drug Awareness Committee organizes the Purple Ribbon Campaign prior to the Victoria Day long weekend each year, the unofficial launch of summer.
Committee member Terry Easterby says alcohol-related crashes continue to be an issue locally.
"People drink, we understand that, but we want them to think before they get into a car. We don't want them to drink and drive," he says. "If they do drink, stay overnight, find an alternate form of transportation and be safe."
Easterby says they chose to place purple ribbons at this intersection this year because of the high traffic and visibility.
Sarnia police Constable Chris Moxley says there are plenty of other options available as opposed to drunk driving.
"I think it's important that people make that decision before they even start drinking, that makes it easy at the end of the night. Just leave your keys at home, grab a cab, a bus, get a designated driver."
He says officers will be on patrol targeting impaired driving among other things this upcoming long weekend.
In 2015, city police laid 77 impaired driving charges and investigated 27 alcohol-related collisions.
The number of impaired charges in the city from January to April of last year, at 20, dropped to 15 during the same four months this year.
Purple ribbons have also been placed at the intersection of Main St. and King St. in Forest.
