​Impaired driving charges increase during Festive RIDE campaign

(WEST REGION HEADQUARTERS) -The 2023 OPP Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign continues across West Region, with impaired driving charges on the increase.

Since the start of the campaign in November, officers have conducted 1,673 RIDE check events across 13 West Region detachments, with the following results:
 

• 249 impaired driving charges
• 43 warn-range suspensions

By comparison, West Region OPP officers laid 210 impaired charges and 29 warn-range suspensions in 1,458 RIDE check events after the first 33 days of the 2022 Festive RIDE campaign.

The campaign is an annual police enforcement and education initiative aimed at taking impaired drivers off Ontario roads during the holiday season.

This year's campaign runs from Nov. 16, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024, and during that time, the public can expect an increased OPP presence on West Region roads and highways as officers conduct RIDE initiatives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the province.

The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.