(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
A complaint e-mail over RIDE checks sparked a discussion of their value at the January Cobourg Police Services Board meeting.
A report was presented at Tuesday’s meeting from someone complaining of time wasted at a RIDE check and about using money for this initiative that should go, instead, to crime fighting.
RIDE stands for Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere.
Deputy Chief Jeff Haskins said that the Festive RIDE program over the Christmas holidays saw more than 1,100 checks made that resulted in five impaired-driving charges. And since that program ended, they have had three more arrests for impaired driving.
He also said that RIDE programs are funded 100% through provincial grants, adding that intoxication – through alcohol and drugs – remains a major contributor to serious collisions.
Board Vice-Chair Sean Graham pointed out that 19 impaired drivers had been removed over the past four years.
“That’s 19 potential tragic events, so you have my full support on it – excellent program,” Graham declared.
“Anyone who has been affected by a drunk driver or lost a loved one to drunk driving would see the value of this program,” board member Nicole Beatty agreed.
