Randi Belec
SD&G – It would seem this holiday season was especially festive, as the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign picked up an increased amount of impaired drivers.
The festive spirit brings not only good tidings and cheer, but some poor judgment as well.
During the five week campaign which ended Jan. 2, local O.P.P. conducted 269 festive RIDE initiatives.
The number of charges in the SD&G area from this year’s RIDE program have increased, compared to last season.
Nine people charged with impaired, over 80 or refusal to provide a sample compared to seven people in 2013/14. There were 15 driver’s licence suspensions, compared to 13 the season before.
“Irresponsible motorists continue to drive while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol and the carnage and harm they can cause is impossible to calculate. The OPP will continue to conduct RIDE programs throughout the region on any day, at any time throughout the year,” said Chief Superintendent Daniel Redmond, Regional Commander, East Region.
With the increase of impaired drivers, motorists are urged to stop driving impaired, and not to allow others to do so either. In the case of any driver insisting to drive impaired, you’re asked to call 911 to allow for police officers in your jurisdiction to remove the driver from the road, before anyone is harmed.
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