DRPS completed its sixth and final week of the 2023 Festive Ride program, stopping more than 1,863 vehicles and charging 13 drivers with impaired driving offences.
Overall, a total of 87 people were charged with impaired driving offences compared to 77 in 2022.
The 2023 Festive RIDE final totals are as follows (with the 2022 Festive RIDE final totals in brackets for comparison).
Vehicles stopped – 12,682 (9,907)
People given Roadside Breath Tests – 533 (492)
People received three-day suspension for registering a warn – 40 (41)
Novice driver received a 3, 7 or 30 licence suspension – 19 (10)
People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences – 87 (77)
Other Criminal Code Charges – 64 (35)
Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences – 974 (692)
Drug Offences – 3 (2)
“Although this program places an emphasis on impaired related offences, officers work to ensure the safety of the roadways within our region,” said a police statement.
In the final week, the DRPS RIDE team partnered with DRPS and OPP Auxiliary members. On New Years Eve the team checked nearly 300 cars for sobriety and noted that the vast majority of these drivers were designated driver or ride share services. “We thank all those who made the right choice and drove sober this holiday season,” police said.
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.
Police said even though the 2023 Festive Ride program has come to a close, officers work 24/7/365 and are always focused on road safety and reducing impaired driving.
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed is posted on our website www.drps.ca.
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.