RIDE checks begin

News Release

The holiday season is almost upon us, and the Ontario Provincial Police wants to remind the motoring public of the danger of mixing alcohol with driving. From November 25, 2005 to January 2, 2006, the OPP will team up with police services across the province for the annual Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.
Impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada.
OPP officers will be out in your neighbourhood in an effort to remove the threat of the impaired driver, and reduce the death toll on Ontario roads.
Last year, during the five-week OPP Festive R.I.D.E. Initiative, officers stopped 450,582 vehicles at roadside checkpoints, 294 persons were charged with criminal code alcohol-related offences and a total of 664 12-hour licence suspensions were issued. Officers also issued 315 of the 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspensions. For every 470 vehicles checked at our RIDE locations, one driver was either charged with an impaired driving related charge or was issued a 12-hour licence suspension. This is not acceptable!
Unfortunately during the Festive RIDE campaign last year, officers investigated 37 fatal collisions in which 41 people lost their lives. Three of these fatal collisions were alcohol related. This needless and tragic loss of life must stop!
OPP officers will be doing their part to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Please do yours by not drinking and driving.