Expect to see an increased police presence on roads across southwestern Ontario, as the OPP is expected to be on the road looking for impaired drivers around the clock.
Festive RIDE is an annual police enforcement and education initiative aimed at taking impaired drivers off Ontario roads during the holiday season. This year’s campaign goes from November 16 to January 1.
Authorities say impaired driving charges have increased 11 percent in West Region this year compared to the same time frame in 2022.
So far in 2023, 18 people have lost their lives in alcohol/drug related collisions in West Region, compared to 32 deaths in 2022.
83 impaired driving charges have been laid by Elgin County OPP as of October 2023, which includes coverage of Chatham-Kent, a 34% increase over 2022. 128 drivers in Lambton County have been charged with impaired driving over the first 10 months of this year.
In a release, police said RIDE checks will take place 24 hours a day and seven days a week on area roads.
