OPP Festive RIDE program ends with 150 impaired driving charges
Posted Jan 3, 2026 11:19:45 AM.
Last Updated Jan 4, 2026 04:58:07 PM.
Police charged 150 drivers with with impaired driving over the duration of the Festive RIDE campaign.
The OPP Festive RIDE campaign began on Nov. 20, 2025 and ran until Jan. 1. During this time, East Region OPP officers conducted over 1,600 RIDE programs.
Each of the 150 drivers faced a 90-day licence suspension and had their vehicle impounded for seven days.
Shorter licence suspensions were handed down to 28 drivers who registered a warn on an approved roadside alcohol screening device.
While the number of impaired driving charges laid increased from the 2024 Festive RIDE campaign, the number of ride checks also increased.
In 2024, 1,188 RIDE programs were conducted and 113 drivers were charged.
The Festive RIDE campaign may be over but OPP say RIDE campaigns will continue at random.
“They can happen anywhere, day or night, seven days week, along major highways, rural roads or downtown streets,” the force says.
Those nabbed for impaired driving will also now face stricter consequences.
As of Jan. 1, the province imposed stronger licence suspensions, a longer look back period, and mandatory education and treatment.
