DRPS completed its sixth and final week of the 2024 Festive RIDE program, stopping more than 1,600 vehicles and charging 19 drivers with impaired driving offences.
This year 105 drivers were removed from our roads for impaired driving – a choice they made, police said adding: “A choice that jeopardizes the safety of everyone.”
This represents a nearly 20 per cent increase over last year. That being said, over 16,000 vehicles were checked, proving the majority of the drivers are following the rules and regulations.
“Our members are thankful for that, and incredibly grateful for the calls and information provided by the public with respect to impaired drivers. Please remember: If you see something, say something. Report suspected impaired driving by calling 911 – it could save a life, police said.
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed is posted on our website www.drps.ca.
This week, the RIDE team was joined by DRPS Auxiliary officers who assisted on the RIDE line. On New Year’s Eve our team checked nearly 500 cars for sobriety and noted that a high number of these drivers were designated drivers or ride share services.
The 2024 Festive RIDE final totals are as follows (with the 2023 Festive RIDE final totals in brackets).
- Vehicles stopped – 16,227 (12,682)
- People given Roadside Breath Tests – 1145 (533)
- People received three-day suspensions for registering a WARN -102 (40)
- Novice driver received a 3-, 7- or 30-day licence suspension – 16 (19)
- People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences – 105 (87)
- Impaired/Exceed/Refuse Charges laid – 154 (130)
- Other Criminal Code Charges – 47 (64)
- Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences – 1214 (972)
- Drug Offences – 17 (3)
- Provincial Cannabis Act Charges – 15 (11)
As the 2024 Festive RIDE program comes to a close we remind the public that our officers work 24/7/365 and are always focused on road safety and reducing impaired driving, police added.
Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a criminal impaired driving offence will have their driver’s licence suspended for ninety days and their vehicle impounded automatically for seven days.
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