The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) conducted 2,162 vehicle stops across Durham in its Week II of the Festive Ride campaign, resulting in 17 impaired driving charges.
This represents a 30 per cent increase in impaired driving arrests compared to the same period in 2023, police said.
There were also two drug offences recorded.
The highest number of violations (238) were for Highway Traffic Act (HTA). These stood at 204 in Week II of 2023.
Members of the Ride team conducted checks throughout the Region of Durham with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect 2023 second week totals for comparison):
Vehicles stopped by Ride – 2,162 (2,091)
People given Roadside Breath Tests – 232 (59)
People received three-day suspensions for registering a alert – 18 (6)
Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 License Suspension – 1 (5)
People were charged with Drinking and Driving Offences – 17 (13)
Other Criminal Code Charges – 5 (24)
Highway Traffic Act Offences – 238 (204)
Drug Offences – 2 (0)
During the second week of the campaign, DRPS officers also worked with the Ministry of Transportation to conduct mandatory alcohol screenings for commercial motor vehicles at the Whitby Truck Inspection Station.
If you suspect someone is driving impaired, please call 911 immediately and provide as much information as possible, including the vehicle description, license plate number, and direction of travel.
You May Also Wish To Read
December starts with Durham’s 10th murder of 2024 – a matricide
Help us with our multiple tickets: speeding husband to officer