DRPS completed its second week of the 2024 Festive RIDE program, stopping 2,162 vehicles and charging 17 drivers with impaired driving offences.
Members of the RIDE team conducted checks throughout the Region of Durham with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect 2023 second week totals for comparison):
2,162 (2,091) Vehicles stopped by RIDE
232 (59) People given Roadside Breath Tests
18 (6) People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “ALERT”
1 (5) Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 License Suspension
17 (13) People were charged with Drinking and Driving Offences
5 (24) Other Criminal Code Charges
238 (204) Highway Traffic Act Offences
2 (0) Drug Offences
During week two of DRPS’ Festive RIDE program, 17 impaired drivers were removed from our roadways.
One of the officers on the RIDE team noticed a male passed out behind the wheel of his motor vehicle in the parking lot RIDE where officers were having a briefing before setting up the RIDE line. He was arrested for impaired. Another RIDE member located a stolen vehicle, which they were able to strategically follow into a parking lot, where one male party was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.
This week, the RIDE team also worked in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation in conducting Mandatory Alcohol Screening for Commercial Motor Vehicles entering the Whitby Truck Inspection Station.
The second week of RIDE saw a 30 per cent increase in impaired related arrests compared to 2023 results. This is far too many. If you suspect an impaired driver, please note the make, model and licence plate of the vehicle, as well as the direction of travel and call 911. You could save a life.
A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed is posted on our website at www.drps.ca under RIDE results.
Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a drinking and driving criminal offence will have their driver’s license suspended for 90 days and their vehicle impounded automatically for seven days.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
