OPP Festive RIDE program finds ‘disturbing’ number of impaired drivers

Nearly 100 drivers were charged for impaired driving through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Festive RIDE program over the holidays.

According to the OPP, 2,289 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) programs were conducted across the East Region of Ontario between Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 and Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Through those RIDE initiatives, officers arrested and charged 98 people for impaired driving related offences. Another 54 motorists were issued various automatic drivers’ licence suspensions after registering in the ‘warning’ range on the approved roadside screening device.

“It’s disturbing to see that so many drivers are choosing to put their own lives, and the lives of everyone else on the road, in danger,” said Acting Inspector Mac Hemmerick, OPP East Region’s Traffic and Marine Manager.

“Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, getting behind the wheel can have deadly consequences.”

The OPP advise that RIDE programs are not limited to the holiday season, and can happen anywhere at any time.

“If you suspect someone is driving impaired, please call 9-1-1,” the OPP said in a press release on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.

“You could be saving lives.”