The provincial Festive RIDE campaign resulted in OPP officers removing 539 alcohol/drug-impaired drivers from roads during Festive RIDE stops between November 23, 2018 and January 2, 2019.
An additional 384 drivers where issued Warn Range Suspensions for having a Blood Alcohol Concentration in the .05 and .08 range.
Officers conducted a total of 10,270 RIDE stop events throughout the province during the campaign, marking the first time the number of OPP RIDE stop events exceeds the 10,000 mark.
During the previous (2017/18) Festive RIDE campaign, the OPP charged 587 drivers with alcohol/drug-impaired driving, issued 366 Warn Range Suspensions and conducted 9,830 RIDE stops.
“I am extremely proud of our officers for their commitment to keeping our roads safe over the holidays,” said OPP Interim Commissioner Gary Couture. “Whether drivers were charged with alcohol-impaired driving, drug-impaired driving or issued Warn Range Suspensions, the bottom line is that our officers took close to 923 impaired drivers off our roads and eliminated the threat they posed to those who were sharing the road with them that day.”
Tragically, there were 42 alcohol/drug-related road deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in 2018.
The OPP is reminding drivers that as of December 18, 2018, police can demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking.
Under the new legislation, drivers impaired by alcohol now also face higher mandatory minimum fines and some higher maximum penalties.
Across eastern Ontario, OPP officers conducted over 2,700 Festive RIDE programs. 97 drivers were charged with being impaired by alcohol. Eight were charged with being impaired by drugs. An additional 68-drivers were issued licence suspensions after registering in the “warning” range on approved roadside testing devices.
“One impaired driver is too many”, said Chief Superintendent Chris Harkins, Commander of the OPP’s East Region. “It’s very disappointing to see that so many people are making bad choices to drive after consuming drugs or alcohol.”
During this year’s Festive RIDE campaign, Upper Ottawa Valley OPP officers conducted 245 RIDE checks in the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP detachment area.
Over the course of the campaign, six drivers were charged with alcohol impaired driving, over 80mg or refusal.
One driver was charged with drug impaired driving.
In addition to the Criminal Code driving charges, five roadside driver’s licence suspensions were also issued during the campaign for drivers who registered in the warn range.
Renfrew and Arnprior OPP officers conducted 288 RIDE checks in the detachment area.
Over the course of the campaign 12 drivers were charged with alcohol impaired driving, over 80mg or refusal. No drivers were charged with drug impaired driving. In addition to the Criminal Code driving charges, eight roadside driver’s licence suspensions were also issued during the campaign for drivers who registered in the warn range.
While the Festive RIDE program has wrapped up, officers will continue to conduct RIDE programs year-round and be on the lookout for impaired drivers.
If you suspect a driver of being impaired, call 9-1-1 immediately. You could be helping to save lives.
