Festive RIDE – Week 1 Results

DRPS completed its first week of the 2024 Festive RIDE program, stopping more than 2,600 vehicles and charging 16 drivers with impaired driving offences.

The DRPS RIDE team conducted RIDE checks throughout the Region of Durham with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect 2023 first week totals for comparison):

 2,606  (2091)   Vehicles stopped by RIDE
 60       (59)       People given Roadside Breath Tests
10        (6)         People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
1          (5)         Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30  Licence Suspension
16        (13)       People were charged with Drinking and Driving Offences
22        (19)       Impaired/ refuse / exceed charges laid
3          (24)       Other Criminal Code Charges laid
184      (204)     Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
6          (0)         Drug Offences
 
The first week of the DRPS 2024 Festive RIDE program saw the RIDE team working alongside community partners from The Durham Region Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD had several survivors and other personally impacted volunteers out to thank the majority of drivers for driving sober and remind everyone that the impact of their choices can be long lasting.

Unfortunately, the first week of RIDE also saw a 23 per cent increase in the amount of impaired drivers taken off the roadways compared to last year.  This is unacceptable and we need to do better. Please always plan ahead for a sober ride home; use alternate forms of transportation and arrive alive!  If you suspect an impaired driver please call 911.

A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed can be found on our website.

Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with a drinking and driving criminal offence will have their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicle impounded automatically for seven days.