More enforcement, more charges. That’s the end result of the 2023/24 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region.
Members of West Region’s 13 detachments conducted impaired driving checkpoints at locations across Southwestern Ontario as part of this year’s Festive RIDE campaign, which began on November 16, 2023 and concluded on January 1, 2024.
This year’s final Festive RIDE campaign numbers are below in bold. 2022 Festive RIDE campaign results are in parentheses:
- Impaired Driving charges: 353 (278)
- Warn-Range suspensions: 55 (35)
- RIDE events: 2446 (1804)
- Number of vehicles that drove through a RIDE event: 13,197.
“West Region OPP will continue efforts to get impaired drivers off the road beyond the holiday season and throughout the year. Drivers can expect to see RIDE checkpoints in their area at any time. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death, injury and property damage on Ontario roadways and it’s entirely preventable. If you plan to drink or take drugs, use a designated driver, a taxi or a rideshare service to get home safely,” said Inspector Mike McConnell/OPP West Region Traffic and Marine Manager.
To see detachment-specific Festive RIDE campaign numbers, CLICK HERE.
If arrested for Impaired Driving, you will have your driver’s licence suspended for 90 days, and your car will be impounded for 7 days. You will be given a court date, and if convicted, you may have your driver’s licence suspended for one year, you may have to pay a fine of a minimum of $1000, and you may be given jail time. Those convicted of a second or third offence will serve time in jail, and may have their driving privileges taken away for life.
More information on impaired driving penalties and terminology can be found at the link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) remain committed to ensuring Ontario roads are safe from drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired drivers.
If you suspect an impaired driver, make that lifesaving call and dial 911.
