The Ontario Provincial Police reported significantly fewer impaired driving charges and warn range suspensions during their 2013 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.
While RIDE programs occur throughout the year, the Festive RIDE, held from November 23, 2013 to January 2, 2014, is a campaign intended to increase awareness about drinking and driving during the holiday season.
Across the province, the OPP issued 578 impaired driving charges and 481 warn range suspensions during the Festive RIDE. (Warn range suspensions are given when individuals register a blood alcohol reading of .05 to .08 on an approved screening device.)
These numbers are down from last year’s campaign, when 693 impaired driving charges and 625 warn range suspensions were laid.
In a press release, the OPP stated that, “While the OPP is pleased to see the numbers significantly lower in both categories, this year’s charges still serve as a reminder that a small number of impaired drivers threatened the lives of other road users over the holidays.”
In Clearview, the OPP conducted 58 RIDE checks this year. Altogether, 3,044 vehicles were stopped including 53 snowmobiles. Only one roadside test was conducted.
In Clearview, Wasaga Beach and Springwater Township, OPP laid 13 impaired driving charges and issued seven warnings. In Simcoe County, OPP laid 74 driving-related charges and issued 36 warnings. (The statistics for Clearview alone were not available.)
“These numbers are all lower than last year’s,” said Provincial Constable Mark Kinney of the Huronia West OPP. “I see a positive trend towards the reduction of drinking and driving. However, all it takes is one driver making a bad choice to cause tragedy. As such, we as a community must stay vigilant and do our part to stop drinking and driving.