Officers from the Peterborough County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have wrapped up the Festive R.I.D.E. campaign for 2024. Here are the results…
The Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign for 2024 ran from Thursday November 21, 2024, straight through to and including January 1, 2025. The Peterborough County OPP kicked off the campaign with a media event on November 21, 2024, which included other First Responder partners (Peterborough Police, Fire and EMS), M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Crime Stoppers, Nadeau’s Collision, Comstock-Kaye Funeral Services, and Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark.
During the six-week campaign, the Peterborough County OPP conducted 127 separate R.I.D.E. initiatives at various locations throughout the county speaking with hundreds of motorists. As a result of those R.I.D.E. programs and other calls for service, 18 individuals were charged with Impaired Driving / 80+ with the last one being on the morning of January 1, 2025.
Although the Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign only runs for a six-week period, Peterborough County OPP officers are working to get impaired drivers off our roads every day conducting nearly 1,000 R.I.D.E. initiatives for the year. In total, Peterborough County OPP have charged 112 individuals over the course of 2024 averaging roughly one impaired driver every three days. Individuals charged have ranged from the age of 17 years old to 84 years old making this an issue crossing all demographics.
Drivers continue to take chances. It’s simply not worth the risk. Motorists are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another plan that takes impaired driving out of the picture. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.
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
