Motorists can expect to see an increased presence of police on roads and highways as the holiday season approaches.
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Norfolk County OPP kicked off the Festive RIDE campaign on Friday that aims to take impaired drivers off the roads through an increased number of spot checks.
“Throughout the year it’s very important that we focus on education and enforcement when it comes to impaired driving, whether drugs and/or alcohol,” said Staff Sgt. Jeff McNorgan of Norfolk County OPP. “You’re going to see more officers out doing RIDE checks, making sure people aren’t driving impaired by drugs or alcohol. We certainly want to make sure our roads are safe, keep our fatalities down this season.”
McNorgan said there are no set days or times for RIDE spot checks, as statistics show that people could be driving impaired at any time of the day, any day of the week.
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“If you are going to drink or take drugs make sure you’re not driving anything,” said the staff sergeant. “Find an alternate ride home whether it’s by taxi, stay over, or call a friend. There is zero tolerance. No amount is safe. Let’s do that to keep our community safe.”
The annual Festive RIDE program is joined by municipal police services and continues through to January 1, 2025.
So far this year, OPP West Region officers have conducted 10,170 RIDE check events throughout the 13 detachment zones, an increase of 20 per cent compared to 2023.
To date in 2024, there have been no impaired driving fatalities in Norfolk County, while Brant OPP have recorded one. Norfolk OPP have laid 113 impaired driving charges this year, a seven per cent drop from 2023, while in Brant County 59 charges were laid, a decrease of 23 per cent from the previous year.
The penalties for a first-time impaired driving charge include an immediate roadside 90-day suspension of one’s driver’s license, a seven-day vehicle impoundment, a fine of $550, and a license reinstatement fee. Upon conviction of a criminal impaired driving charge, first-time offenders face a license suspension of at least one year, mandatory attendance at an education or treatment program; and the required use of an ignition interlock device for at least one year.
Police encourage citizens to call 9-1-1 if they see a suspected impaired driver.
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