It’s a message we hear regularly and it’s one that we must drive home to anyone behind the wheel – if you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink.
The Festive RIDE program is now underway and will continue until January 1st. Police services across the province will make full use of sophisticated tools for detecting and investigating alcohol and drug impairment in drivers. 42 people have died in alcohol-related crashes this year alone.
“No family should lose a loved one in a collision that involves alcohol and/or drugs, especially during the holidays,” says OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “Driving sober and drug-free is critical to preventing road fatalities and injuries. You can help make roads even safer by calling 9-1-1 if you see a suspected impaired driver. Let’s work together to make this the safest holiday season yet.”
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria were on hand for the kick-off of the Festive RIDE Program.
“I encourage all Ontarians to engage with their loved ones about the dangers of drinking or using drugs and driving a vehicle,” said Kerzner. “Driving impaired is dangerous, illegal, and can have fatal consequences. During the holidays this year, everyone should have a plan to get home safely, and not be afraid to speak up and ensure others do the same.”
“Ontario has among the safest roads in North America, and we are committed to making them even safer,” said Sarkaria. “Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, there is no place for impaired driving in Ontario.”
The Festive RIDE campaign includes Mandatory Alcohol Screening which allows police to demand a roadside breath test from any lawfully stopped driver, even if there is no evidence or suspicion that the driver is impaired by alcohol. Under Ontario’s Zero Tolerance law, it is illegal for young, novice, and commercial drivers to have any amount of alcohol or drugs in their system. Drug Recognition Evaluations (DRE) and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) remain effective police resources for detecting drug-impaired drivers.
Another important tool for law enforcement is alert drivers. Citizens have placed almost 17,000 calls to the OPP this year to report suspected impaired drivers.
Nearly 30,000 OPP RIDE checks have taken place this year, and over 10,000 impaired driving charges have been laid.
For more information, please watch the attached videos courtesy of the OPP.
