1 in 16 Drivers Found To Be Drinking – 23 Drunk Drivers Busted

(WELLINGTON COUNTY, ON) Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) deployed a Festive R.I.D.E. Team again this year. “This is the second year a team of officers has been dedicated solely to detecting and apprehending impaired drivers from our County roadways during the holiday season R.I.D.E campaigns” say Detachment Commander, Inspector Scott Lawson. “Our goal is always to ensure we keep our community safe from those who continue to make poor decisions and get behind the wheel when they have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.”

This year’s campaign commenced on November 20, 2013 and runs until January 11, 2014. The R.I.D.E. team consists of four OPP officers working alongside regular uniformed members. The R.I.D.E. programs have been very active throughout the County both day and night. The locations throughout Wellington County have been strategically identified to maximize their effectiveness. Lawson says, “Our officers are very dedicated to keeping our roadways safe. They are highly trained in recognizing driver impairment both by alcohol and drug and are committed to “looking beyond the plate” of those motorists who are stopped. “With the sheer volume of vehicles being stopped by our officers we are seeing these somewhat discouraging results where 1 in every 16 vehicles stopped the drivers have consumed some level of alcohol says”, Inspector Lawson.

Throughout the campaign our officers are averaging approximately 450 vehicles per shift resulting in;

– 7895 Vehicles checked

– 389 Approved screening device tests (drivers who consumed alcohol but breath samples were less than 50 mgs)

– 23 Over 80 mgs charge/impaired

– 60 Three-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspensions

– 4 Seven-Day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspensions

– 15 Criminal charges

– 40 drug charges

– 25 Liquor License Act charges

– 129 Highway Traffic Act charges

– 18 Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act charges

Wellington County OPP asks drivers to be smart and do their part – if you have consumed alcohol – don’t drive and to call 911 if they suspect a driver is impaired.