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The East Area Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have launched their closing replace on the 2024-2025 Festive RIDE program, because the marketing campaign has now wrapped up.
Standing for “Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere,” RIDE applications encompass checkpoints the place OPP officers cease all autos travelling on a specific roadway to observe for impaired driving. The Festive RIDE marketing campaign runs yearly over the winter holidays and into the brand new yr. The 2024-2025 Festive RIDE initiative ran from Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, by means of Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Kingstonist readers might recall that updates on the outcomes of this season’s marketing campaign have been printed weekly.
In line with police, 10 extra people have been arrested for impaired driving by means of the ultimate week of this season’s Festive RIDE marketing campaign. That’s on prime of the 20 allegedly impaired drivers arrested within the fifth week of the marketing campaign, the 18 arrested within the fourth week, 20 within the third week, 22 within the second week, and 23 within the first week.
All through the marketing campaign, OPP officers arrange greater than 1,200 RIDE checkpoints, leading to 113 motorists (together with the ten arrested within the final week of the marketing campaign) dealing with charges, police detailed in a wrap-up replace on this system on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
On prime of the 113 arrests, the OPP additionally issued 29 “warning range suspensions,” suspending the motive force’s licences of drivers discovered to be within the warning vary by an authorized roadside screening machine, which detects the presence of alcohol on an individual’s breath. These 29 drivers additionally had their autos impounded, with the drivers answerable for any towing- or impounding-related charges.
“While Festive RIDE may be over, OPP members across East Region will continue to hold RIDE programs and be on the lookout for those who choose to endanger lives by driving while impaired,” mentioned Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm, Commander of the OPP East Area.
“Even one impaired driver on the roads is one too many. I want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of our officers who conducted RIDE programs over the holiday season. Their efforts helped keep our roadways safe.”
As Wilhelm indicated, the RIDE program continues all year long, “anytime, anywhere.”
“If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. You could be saving lives,” the OPP concluded.
