(SOUTHERN BRUCE COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is taking the rare step of thanking Ontario drivers ahead of their 2013 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign for not driving impaired over the holidays and for helping get impaired drivers off our roads. The reason for the early thank you is because the OPP knows that the vast majority of drivers do understand that enforcement is only part of the solution and that driving sober is the single most important factor in ending the numerous impaired driving related deaths that occur on Ontario roads every year.
The campaign runs from November 23 to January 2, 2014. According to the OPP, the public can expect to see as many OPP Festive R.I.D.E. stops as ever during this year’s campaign, in order to deal with the relatively small number of drivers who choose to get an impaired driving charge over the simpler and less costly solution of not getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Unfortunately, the irresponsible behaviour of one driver can negatively affect the lives of many.
The OPP is also reminding drivers that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption when driving. This is evident every year in the number of Warn Range Suspensions the OPP issues to drivers whose Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) falls within the 0.05 to 0.08 range.
Over the last two Festive R.I.D.E. campaigns (2011 and 2012), OPP officers issued a total of 1,208 Warn Range Suspensions over and above the 1,375 impaired driving charges they laid throughout the province. Those who are issued a Warn Range Suspension immediately lose their licence at the roadside and are not allowed to drive from that point on for a minimum of three days.
The OPP is asking the public to join in on the conversation on Facebook during the campaign. Share your thoughts, stories and personal experiences with impaired drivers/driving, as well as any positive stories about people you encounter over the holidays whose actions and decisions about drinking and driving contribute to a safe holiday season on our roads.
“Impaired driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. The South Bruce OPP will be participating fully in the Festive RIDE campaign to raise awareness on this dangerous act and stop impaired drivers. If you’re planning to drive, then plan to drive sober! Do not get into a vehicle with someone that has been drinking – the life you save could be your own†– Inspector Scott Smith, Detachment Commander, South Bruce OPP.