More than 2,900 vehicles were stopped and 16 drivers were charged with drinking and driving offences, in the second week of the Festive R.I.D.E program, Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) said.
R.I.D.E. checks were conducted in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Scugog and Brock Township.
DRPS has released the following totals (numbers in brackets reflect 2018 second week totals for comparison):
- 2,978 (6,754) Vehicles stopped
- 135 (100) People given Roadside Breath Tests
- 21 (12) People received “3/7/30 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
- 123 (N/A) Mandatory Roadside Breath Tests (1st time done on RIDE Line)
- 3 (N/A) People received “3/7/30 Day Suspensions” as a result of Mandatory Tests
- 1 (N/A) People given “Approved Drug Screening Device” Tests
- 1 (1) Novice Driver received a “Three-Day Licence Suspension”
- 16 (15) People charged with Drinking and Driving Offences
- 13 (19) Criminal Code Offences Other
- 69 (47) Charged with various Highway Traffic Act Offences
- 4 (0) Drug Offences
- 1 (7) Cannabis Act offences
After the second week, the Festive R.I.D.E. team has charged a total of 24 motorists for drinking and driving offences. Last year at the same time, 23 had been charged. Another 24 motorists have registered a WARN on a roadside screening device and had their driver’s licence suspended for three-days. Last year at the same time, 26 drivers had their licence suspended for registering a WARN.
R.I.D.E. Firsts
Legislation that came into effect in December 2018 gives police the power to demand a breath sample from any driver that is lawfully stopped. This week, for the first time on the R.I.D.E. line, the R.I.D.E. team conducted mandatory roadside breath tests – meaning every driver entering the R.I.D.E. line was given a breath test for a prescribed period of time. An “Approved Drug Screening Device” was also used by the R.I.D.E. team for the first time resulting in a novice driver given a three-day suspension.
During a R.I.D.E. traffic stop, officers seized approximately 240 grams of cannabis and charged an individual with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking along with executing three outstanding warrants on the same person. A total of 13 charges were laid.
R.I.D.E. officers were instrumental in assisting with a fatal hit-and-run collision involving a female cyclist in Oshawa. R.I.D.E. members were among first officers to respond and secure the scene.
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed/Refuse will be posted on DRPS website later this week at www.drps.ca under Hot Topics.
Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a drinking and driving criminal offence will have his or her driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicle impounded automatically for 7 days.
R.I.D.E. Week 1 Results: