Police add new checkpoints for impaired driving

The 2002/2003 Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere program is officially underway this weekend, and you need to know that local OPP have added additional patrols to dissuade you from drinking and driving.

In addition to the regular R.I.D.E. officers, the OPP has mandated at least one checkpoint a shift, twenty-four hours a day, from regular patrol officers, Senior Constable Bill Mackan (shown) told a launch ceremony at the bridge plaza.

The RIDE program has significantly reduced impaired drivers over the years, a fact that Mackan attributes to enforcement, education and extensive media coverage.

Representatives from the OPP, Sault Ste. Marie City Police, Batchewana First Nations Police, Anishinabek Police, Canada Customs, the Drinking and Driving Awareness Committee, Sault Traffic and Road Safety, the local chapter of MADD and the Sault Emergency Medical Service took part in the kick-off ceremonies.

The various police agencies team up to cover the entire area with numerous checkpoints each day during the festive season, with the new OPP assistance from regular patrol officers added on top of that.

Instead of a ribbon cutting, there was a ribbon stomping to officially begin the holiday drinking and driving awareness period.