DRPS completed its second week of the 2023 Festive Ride program, stopping more than 1,874 vehicles and – this week too – charging 13 drivers with impaired driving offences.
Durham Regional Officers conducted checks across the region with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect the 2022 second week totals as a comparison):
- Vehicles stopped – 1,874 (1467)
- People given Roadside Breath Tests – 137 (32)
- People received three-day suspension for registering a warn – 8 (1)
- Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 Licence Suspension – 2 (1)
- People were charged with Drinking and Driving Offences – 13 (16)
- Other Criminal Code Charges – 5 (1)
- Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences – 151 (103)
- Drug Offences – 1 (8)
This week the Ride team was joined by various community partners including, MTO’s Education Branch, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services, MTO Enforcement Branch and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Durham. DRPS Chief of Police Peter Moreira also joined the team and conducted multiple sobriety checks – including removing a suspended driver from the roadway, said a police statement.
It said one notable event would be the arrest of an impaired driver who was going the wrong way on Highway 407. It was called in by concerned citizens and members of the Ride team were able to locate the vehicle and arrest the driver. He now faces multiple charges including impaired and dangerous driving offences. This incident highlights the importance of working with the community to keep our roadways safe. If you suspect an impaired driver, please call 911.
Hear 911 call about driver going wrong way on 407 at high speeds
MADD had several survivors and other personally impacted volunteers out with officers this week to thank the majority of drivers for driving sober, and remind everyone that the impact of their choices can be long lasting – please enjoy your holidays responsibly.
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed has been posted on DRPS website.
Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a drinking and driving criminal offence will have their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicle impounded automatically for seven days.