More than 300 charges were laid on provincially-patrolled roads over the holiday season.
The Festive RIDE campaign ran from November 20th to January 1st. OPP West Region officers conducted 3095 spot checks across 13 detachments, the highest number of RIDE events in the region in five years.
269 impaired driving charges were laid and 40 warn-range suspensions were handed out. That compares to 292 impaired driving charges and 19 warn-range suspensions following 1938 RIDE check events last year.
Officers in Elgin County, who also cover Chatham-Kent, conducted 364 RIDE check points during the campaign, with 18 impaired driving charges laid and two warn-range suspensions. There were 250 checks in Lambton County with 33 impaired driving charges and six warn range suspensions.
“West Region remains committed to keeping our roads safe through proactive RIDE programs and focused impaired-driving enforcement efforts,” said Inspector Michael McConnell/OPP West Region Traffic and Marine Manager in a news release. “We remind all drivers to plan ahead, make responsible choices, and always drive sober-if you’ve been drinking, arrange a safe ride home.”
