Festive Ride Season begins this week

News Release
O.P.P.

ORILLIA, ON, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - The holiday season is almost upon us, and the Ontario Provincial Police wants to remind the motoring public of the danger of mixing alcohol with driving. From November 29, 2006 to January 2, 2007, the OPP will team up with police services across the province for the annual Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.
Impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. OPP officers will be out in your neighbourhood in an effort to remove the threat of the impaired driver, and reduce the death toll on Ontario roads.
Last year, during the five-week OPP Festive R.I.D.E. Initiative, officers stopped 576,875 vehicles at roadside checkpoints, 278 persons were charged with criminal code alcohol-related offences and a total of 671 12-hour license suspensions were issued. Officers also issued 270 of the 90-day Administrative Drivers License Suspensions. For every 608 vehicles checked at our RIDE locations, one driver was either charged with an impaired driving related charge or was issued a 12-hour license suspension. This is not acceptable!
Unfortunately during the Festive RIDE campaign last year, officers ‘investigated 37 fatal collisions in which 45 people lost their lives. Three of these deaths were alcohol related. This needless and tragic loss of life must stop!
As stated by Commissioner Fantino, “Traffic Safety initiatives are the core function and responsibility of every OPP officer, every day, all the time”. OPP officers will be doing their part to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Please do yours by not drinking and driving.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!