Festive RIDE program kicks off in Cobourg
Cobourg Police Service (CPS) is committed to keeping our community roadways safe for drivers, passengers and pedestrians through education and enforcement. The CPS has enhanced traffic patrols with the Selective Traffic Enforcement Project (STEP), which focuses on a different topic each month. STEP for December will focus on impaired driving with the festive RIDE Campaign.
The Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere program (RIDE) ramps up at the beginning of December and will continue into January 2022. During these RIDE checks, Cobourg Police Service Officers, Special Constables and Auxiliary members will be stopping vehicles to engage with the community, as well as provide education and enforcement focused on impaired driving.
Officers investigate impaired driving, use of alcohol and drugs, by conducting Standard Field Sobriety Tests and conducting breath testing when required. Field Sobriety Tests were implemented in 2017 by the Cobourg Police Service as it enables officers to investigate and collect evidence for impaired driving by alcohol and specifically persons who are impaired by drugs.
Police remind motorists to be mindful when approaching a RIDE Check location. Officers will be standing in live lanes of traffic. When you see the flashing red and blue lights, slow down, proceed with caution, and officers will guide you through the checkpoint. Please visit www.RIDECHECKS.com for more information.
Make the commitment to yourself and your passengers to never drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. As a passenger in a motor vehicle with an impaired driver, your safety IS compromised. Furthermore, the safety of fellow motorists and pedestrians is at risk when a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs gets behind the wheel.
Make the responsible choice. “Know Before You Go” how you are getting home after consuming any substance
—be it alcohol, drugs, or even certain medications—that causes impairment.
• Designate a sober driver
• Call a cab
• Call a friend
• Stay the night
YMCA Northumberland is running Operation Red Nose, the safe ride service, this winter. We encourage everyone to visit ymcanrt.org and follow the YMCA Northumberland Facebook page for more information on how their volunteers can help get you and your car home safely this holiday season.
Please report suspected impaired driving by calling 911. Impaired driving is the #1 criminal cause of death in Canada, yet every impaired driving crash is preventable. By calling 911 and reporting suspected impaired drivers to police, everyone can play a role in keeping our roads safe and in reducing impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries.
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
