Ottawa police giving St. Patrick’s Day RIDE program details, in hopes of safe and fun weekend
Posted Mar 14, 2019 06:23:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ottawa Police Service's Traffic Unit, as well as the Marine, Dive & Trail Unit will be seen at RIDE checkpoints to end this week and throughout the Saint Patrick's Day weekend.
Officers will be looking for drivers and snowmobilers impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“Impaired driving continues to be a hazard on our roads,” said Traffic Acting Sergeant Christie Cacchione. “It's not worth losing your licence, your life, or taking the life of someone else.”
The OPS says impaired driving is 100% avoidable, so it's urging residents and visitors to choose a safe way home if they have consumed alcohol:
- Appoint a designated driver
- Take a bus, cab, Uber or Lyft
- Stay over
- Get a hotel room
OPS officers are also expected to be monitoring alternate routes in the area of the RIDE program, and will watch for people who may be avoiding checkpoints.
“We are giving the public advance notice of our enforcement plan to discourage anyone from driving impaired in the first place,” added A/Sgt. Cacchione. “Let's make this a safe and fun weekend for everyone on the roads and our local snowmobile trails.”
