The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) said it has seen a concerning increase in impaired driving arrests during the first week of their 2024 Festive Ride campaign.
Despite the ongoing efforts of the DRPS Ride team, which stopped over 2,600 vehicles and administered 60 roadside breath tests, 16 individuals were charged with impaired driving offences. This represents a 23 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
The DRPS Ride team conducted checks throughout the Region of Durham with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect 2023 first week totals for comparison):
2,606 (2091) Vehicles stopped
60 (59) People given Roadside Breath Tests
10 (6) People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “Warn”
1 (5) Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 Licence Suspension
16 (13) People were charged with Drinking and Driving Offences
22 (19) Impaired/ refuse / exceed charges laid
3 (24) Other Criminal Code Charges laid
184 (204) Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
6 (0) Drug Offences
The DRPS RIDE team, in collaboration with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Madd), aims to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and encourage responsible behavior. The organization reminds the public that impaired driving is not only illegal but also dangerous.