01-05-2008, 04:41 AM
Ontario's RIDE program over, but checks will continue all year
January 4, 2007
Orillia, Ontario - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reports that it stopped a total of 846,440 vehicles during the annual Festive Season Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Program.
The program began November 28, 2007 and ran to January 2, 2008, with OPP and municipal police services across the country participating in the program. During that time, the OPP charged 336 people with alcohol-related Criminal Code offenses, suspended 856 drivers' licenses for 12 hours, and laid 3,273 additional charges under the Highway Traffic Act.
During last year's program, the OPP stopped 811,869 vehicles, charging 339 motorists with alcohol-related Criminal Code driving offenses and issuing 797 12-hour suspensions. Three people died in collisions directly related to alcohol during the 2007 RIDE initiative, one more than during the same period in 2006.
"Impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death in Canada," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. "I am disappointed that a small number of people continue to drink and drive. A small number of people still believe they are immune to the law. Overall, 449 people were killed on highways patrolled by the OPP in 2007. Of that total, 80 are alcohol-related. That's totally unacceptable."
The OPP reminds motorists that while the festive season program is now over, RIDE checks continue throughout the year.
January 4, 2007
Orillia, Ontario - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reports that it stopped a total of 846,440 vehicles during the annual Festive Season Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Program.
The program began November 28, 2007 and ran to January 2, 2008, with OPP and municipal police services across the country participating in the program. During that time, the OPP charged 336 people with alcohol-related Criminal Code offenses, suspended 856 drivers' licenses for 12 hours, and laid 3,273 additional charges under the Highway Traffic Act.
During last year's program, the OPP stopped 811,869 vehicles, charging 339 motorists with alcohol-related Criminal Code driving offenses and issuing 797 12-hour suspensions. Three people died in collisions directly related to alcohol during the 2007 RIDE initiative, one more than during the same period in 2006.
"Impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death in Canada," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. "I am disappointed that a small number of people continue to drink and drive. A small number of people still believe they are immune to the law. Overall, 449 people were killed on highways patrolled by the OPP in 2007. Of that total, 80 are alcohol-related. That's totally unacceptable."
The OPP reminds motorists that while the festive season program is now over, RIDE checks continue throughout the year.