Dalton & Dave go after drunk drivers

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $25,000 for local RIDE program

McGuinty government combats drinking and driving

SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty government is providing the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service with $25,000 this year to continue funding the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program, David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Our government is making a serious commitment to help eliminate drunk drivers from the streets of this community by doubling the amount of funding we are providing to the RIDE program," said Orazietti. “This investment will give Sault Ste. Marie's law enforcement officials more resources for this essential safety and public education program.”

The McGuinty government has renewed its $2.4 million commitment to support local RIDE programs for a second year.

In 2008-09, the McGuinty government increased funding to support year-round spot check activities from $1.2 million.

RIDE spot checks have proven to be an effective countermeasure to drinking and driving.

Last year, police conducted over 784,000 RIDE spot checks throughout Ontario, resulting in 970 impaired driving charges and 1,900 12-hour license suspensions.

“Traffic enforcement continues to be one of the priorities of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the RIDE program is a very important tool in continuing to make our streets safer for our citizens. We appreciate the support of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services in providing funding to assist us in maintaining a strong presence on our streets and roads,” said Chief Robert Davies, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.

Since 1988, the Ontario government has been providing annual grants to help the RIDE program across Ontario.

"Our goal is to stop impaired driving, period. RIDE is one of the most effective programs in North America to combat drinking and driving and make Ontario’s roads even safer,” said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci.

Learn more

Learn about impaired driving programs in Ontario.

Learn more about staying sober on the water and the road.

Other McGuinty government investments to improve public safety in Sault Ste. Marie include:

- $ 7.8 million Donald Doucet Youth Centre

- $5.6 million new OPP Forensic facility

- $1 million for new EMS centre

- Eight new City Police officers hired at full cost to the province at approximately $1,431,590

- $178,000 to City Fire Service for training: direct funding for first time in more than 20 years

- Funding for three new specialized OPP officers to assist with border security.

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