OPP charge 34 drivers in first week of East Region Festive RIDE program

Thirty four motorists have been charged with impaired driving during the first week of the OPP East Region’s Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.

The R.I.D.E. program began on Nov. 20 which sees an increased police presence on local roads with the goal of cracking down on impaired driving during the holiday period.

Officers have conducted over 270 R.I.D.E. programs over the week, part of a larger initiative from OPP across the province. Hundreds of drivers have been stopped to ensure they are not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Of those drivers stopped, 34 were arrested and had their licences suspended for 90 days. They also face a seven day vehicle impoundment and will see their day in court.

An additional seven three-day licence suspensions were issued to drivers who were found to be in the warning range on an approved roadside alcohol screening device.

“Choosing to drive while impaired is putting your life, and the lives of everyone on the road at risk,” Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm, OPP East Region Commander, said in a press release. “If you plan to drink or consume drugs, have a plan. That could include a designated driver, transit, a ride-share or taxi, or just stay put.”

While the number of arrests issued in the first week is up from the first week of the same program in 2024, the number of programs conducted is also far greater. Last year, officers conducted over 200 R.I.D.E. programs in the first week of the holiday campaign, leading to 23 arrests.

OPP is continuing to crack down as impaired driving was the only one of the “big four” driving offences to see a decrease in charges laid throughout 2024. During the year, 2,107 impaired driving charges were issued, down from 2,243 in 2023. Charges for speeding, seatbelts and distracted driving all increased in 2024.