A total of 45 motorists have been charged with impaired driving since the Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) initiative began two weeks ago. Last week’s total was 23.
“We know people are getting into the holiday spirit, but impaired driving can instantly change a celebration to a tragedy,” Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm of of the OPP East Region Commander, said in a press release. “It’s a simple message if you drink or consume drugs, don’t get behind the wheel.”
Officers have conducted over 380 Festive RIDE programs since November 21, 2024, stopping nearly 1,000 vehicles to ensure drivers were not impaired by alcohol or drugs. It is an initiative that has been emphasized by theOPP’s 2023 Annual Report which showed that impaired driving charges are on the rise; up 17 per cent since 2021.
In addition to the 45 impaired driving arrests, officers also issued 14 warnings, resulting in licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments.
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the OPP released numbers on the second week of the program, during which 24 RIDE checks were undertaken throughout the detachment area.
During the RIDE checks drivers were found to be in full compliance with the law. No impaired driving or over 80mg charges were reported in this period.
Despite the compliance at the RIDE checks, OPP officers charged two drivers with impaired driving-related offences during normal operations in the early morning of Dec. 1.
At approximately 12:50 a.m., OPP initiated a traffic stop on Pembroke St. E. in the Township of Laurentian Valley. The driver was taken into custody and underwent further drug testing.
Hunter Godin, age 19, has been charged with operation of a vehicle while impaired and driving without a proper rear light. He was released with a 90 day licence suspension and seven day vehicle impoundment. He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Jan. 7, 2025.
Just two hours later, OPP responded to a vehicle stuck in the ditch in Whitewater Region. No injuries were reported but the driver was transported to the detachment for further testing.
Sierra Anne Embury, a 42-year old from the Region, was charged with operation while impaired, failure or refusal to comply with demand, unauthorized use plate and operation of a motor vehicle without insurance.
Embury was released with a 90 day licence suspension and seven day vehicle impoundment. She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Dec. 30.
The Festive RIDE program is ongoing until Jan. 1, 2025.