DRPS completed its sixth and final week of the 2024 Festive RIDE program, stopping more than 1,600 vehicles and charging 19 drivers with impaired driving offences.
This week, the RIDE team was joined by DRPS Auxiliary officers who assisted on the RIDE line. On New Year’s Eve our team checked nearly 500 cars for sobriety and noted that a high number of these drivers were designated drivers or ride share services. We thank all those who made the right choice and drove sober this holiday season.
Among those charged were individuals from Northumberland County including Cobourg, Port Hope, Grafton and Campbellcroft
A complete list of person charged is available here.
The 2024 Festive RIDE final totals are as follows (with the 2023 Festive RIDE final totals in brackets).
16,227 (12,682) Vehicles stopped by R.I.D.E.
1145 (533) People given Roadside Breath Tests
102 (40) People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
16 (19) Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30 day Licence Suspension
105 (87) People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences
154 (130) Impaired / Exceed/ Refuse Charges laid
47 (64) Other Criminal Code Charges
1214 (972) Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
17 (3) Drug Offences
15 (11) Provincial Cannabis Act Charges
As the 2024 Festive RIDE program comes to a close we remind the public that our officers work 24/7/365 and are always focused on road safety and reducing impaired driving.
This year 105 drivers were removed from our roads for impaired driving – a choice they made. A choice that jeopardizes the safety of everyone. This represents a nearly 20 per cent increase over last year. That being said, over 16,000 vehicles were checked, proving the majority of the drivers are following the rules and regulations.
Our members are thankful for that and incredibly grateful for the calls and information provided by the public with respect to impaired drivers. Please remember: If you see something, say something. Report suspected impaired driving by calling 911 – it could save a life.
Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a criminal impaired driving offence will have their driver’s licence suspended for ninety 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
