NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
*************************
The Festive RIDE campaign resulted in OPP officers removing 539 alcohol/drug-impaired drivers from roads during Festive RIDE stops between Nov. 23, 2018 and Jan. 2, 2019.
An additional 384 drivers were issued Warn Range Suspensions for having a Blood Alcohol Concentration in the .05 and .08 range.
Officers conducted a total of 10,270 RIDE stop events throughout the province during the campaign, marking the first time the number of OPP RIDE stop events exceeds the 10,000 mark.
During the previous (2017/18) Festive RIDE campaign, the OPP charged 587 drivers with alcohol/drug-impaired driving, issued 366 Warn Range Suspensions and conducted 9,830 RIDE stops.
"I am extremely proud of our officers for their commitment to keeping our roads safe over the holidays. Whether drivers were charged with alcohol-impaired driving, drug-impaired driving or issued Warn Range Suspensions, the bottom line is that our officers took close to 923 impaired drivers off our roads and eliminated the threat they posed to those who were sharing the road with them that day." - OPP Interim Commissioner Gary COUTURE.
Tragically, there were 42 alcohol/drug-related road deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in 2018.
The OPP is reminding drivers that as of Dec. 18, 2018, police can demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking.
Under the new legislation, drivers impaired by alcohol now also face higher mandatory minimum fines and some higher maximum penalties.
Learn more here. (Bill C-46)
*************************
