Opération Nez Rouge provides more than 13,300 rides in busiest weekend yet
Organization says more volunteer drivers needed to meet demand over the holidays
Opération Nez Rouge had its busiest weekend to date in 2015, providing more than 13,300 rides Friday and Saturday to holiday revelers who'd had one too many for the road..
On Saturday, volunteers drove more 6,500 people and their cars back home, down slightly from Friday's total of 7,800 rides.
Including Thursday night, the service provided close to 16,500 rides.
Launched in 1984 in Quebec City, the service now operates in 63 communities province-wide giving rides to people too tired or who had consumed too much alcohol to drive their cars themselves.
Nez Rouge spokesman David Latouche said the mild weather is likely helping push the number of rides up this year.
"Our teams are a lot more efficient when they don't have to clear snow from the car and the roads are clear," he said.
Since going into operation for the holiday season on Nov. 27, the service has provided 45,000 rides around Quebec.
Over the 2014 holiday season, 55,433 Quebecers made use of the service, representing the vast majority of the 76,000 Canadians who requested a volunteer driver.
With the holiday season coming into full swing, the organization said it needs more volunteers to meet what it said will be even higher demand.
To request a ride, individuals can call or text the service. Nez Rouge also has a mobile app which allows users to see the waiting time for a ride in each community.