The RIDE is called the festive RIDE for a reason – apparently there is no shortage of ‘festive’ drivers on the roads during the holiday season.
From a drunk driver going the wrong way on a one-way street, to a high driver who could barely stand – and had a child in the car, the RIDE team was incredibly busy throughout the 31st night.
“We thank all those who drove sober and those who reported impaired drivers across the region,” said the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
While releasing results of the final week of the Festive RIDE program, police said they stopped more than 1,766 vehicles and charged 12 drivers with impaired driving offences, said a statement.
In the previous week, 1,614 vehicles were stopped and eight drivers were charged with impaired driving offences.
In the final week, DRPS officers conducted checks throughout Durham with one goal: Roadway safety. Although this program places an emphasis on impaired related offences, officers sought to ensure the safety of the roadways within the region.
The team worked closely with frontline officers, the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) and MADD Durham representatives. While the vast majority of motorists are abiding by the rules and regulations, some people seem oblivious to the dangers of impaired driving. One driver even had an unsecured toddler in the car while operating impaired by drugs, said the police.
The 2022 Festive RIDE final totals are as follows (with the 2021 Festive RIDE final totals in brackets).
9,907 (6,761) Vehicles stopped
492 (176) People given Roadside Breath Tests
41 (18) People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
10 (50) Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 Licence Suspension
77 (65) People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences
35 (14) Other Criminal Code Charges
692 (265) Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
2 (1) Drug Offences
After the final week, the R.I.D.E team charged a total of 77 motorists with impaired driving offences. Last year, a total of 65 were charged. That being said, nearly 10,000 vehicles were checked, proving the majority of the drivers are following the rules and regulations. Our members are thankful for that and grateful for the calls and information provided by the public with respect to impaired drivers. Please remember: If you see it, report it – it could save a life, said the police.
Festive RIDE Results – Week Five
DRPS completed its fifth week of the 2022 Festive RIDE program, stopping more than 1,614 vehicles and charging eight drivers with impaired driving offences.
Officers conducted checks in Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, Port Perry, Scugog, Brock Township, and Clarington (the numbers in brackets reflect 2021 week five totals for comparison):
1,614 (1,587) Vehicles stopped
61 (46) People given Roadside Breath Tests
10 (7) People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
1 (5) Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 Licence Suspension
8 (11) People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences
0 (2) Other Criminal Code Charges
97 (56) Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
0 (1) Drug Offences
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed will be posted on our website at www.drps.ca under R.ID.E. Results.