Sault Ste. Marie Police's Festive RIDE campaign resulted in five impaired driving charges being laid from Dec. 1, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2022.
The initiative is an annual province wide campaign to combat impaired driving during the holidays.
For more information, please see the Sault Ste. Marie Police press release included below.
The annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) Campaign launched Dec. 1, 2021 and officers conducted spot checks through Jan. 1, 2022.
The annual initiative involves joint enforcement with our policing partners, and we thank them for their support during the campaign. Officers with Anishinabek Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police play a vital role in keeping our community safe during the holidays and helping our members conduct the Festive RIDE campaign.
During the 2021 campaign 1,005 vehicles were stopped and checked. Those spot checks resulted in:
- 10 roadside tests conducted
- Two 3-day licence suspensions
- Five impaired driving related criminal charges laid
- Three Highway Traffic Act charges
The Festive RIDE program is an annual initiative during the holiday season; however, RIDE spot checks are held throughout the year.
“Throughout the 2021 Festive RIDE campaign officers noticed a significant decrease in traffic, we believe largely due to ongoing public health restrictions,” says Traffic Sergeant Ray Magnan. “The reduced traffic volume resulted in fewer impaired driving related charges compared to the 2020 Festive RIDE campaign.”
At this time, we should all be spending less time gathering, but if you choose to drink or use drugs, please do not drive. We all have a role to play to keep our community safe. Making plans to have a safe, sober ride home could save a life.