OPP Festive RIDE campaign gets underway for the holiday season

Tim Brody - Editor

The Ontario Provincial Police’s Festive RIDE campaign is underway.
Running from Nov. 16 to January 1, police across the province will be on the lookout for impaired drivers. 
“No family should lose a loved one in a collision that involves alcohol and/or drugs, especially during the holidays. Driving sober and drug free is critical to preventing road fatalities and injuries. You can help make roads even safer by calling 9-1-1 if you see a suspected impaired driver. Let’s work together to make this the safest holiday season yet,” shared Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner, in a Nov. 16 media release.
“The holiday season is here, and I encourage all Ontarians to engage with their loved ones about the dangers of drinking or using drugs and driving a vehicle. Driving impaired is dangerous, illegal, and can have fatal consequences. During the holidays this year, everyone should have a plan to get home safely, and not be afraid to speak up and ensure others do the same,” stated Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General.
“Ontario has among the safest roads in North America, and we are committed to making them even safer. Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, there is no place for impaired driving in Ontario. This holiday season, do your part to help keep our roads safe. Remember to plan ahead - use public transit, take a taxi or ride-share service, or have a designated driver to get you, your family and other drivers on the road home safely,” shared Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
Ontario Provincial Police noted: 

• Mandatory Alcohol Screening allows police to demand a roadside breath test from any lawfully stopped driver, even if there is no evidence or suspicion that the driver is impaired by alcohol.
  
• Citizens have placed almost 17,000 calls to the OPP this year to report suspected impaired drivers. 
  
• Under Ontario’s Zero Tolerance law, it is illegal for young, novice and commercial drivers to have any amount of alcohol or drugs in their system.
  
• Drug Recognition Evaluations (DRE) and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) remain effective police resources for detecting drug-impaired drivers.