Perth County OPP 2011 Festive RIDE Results

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) The Perth County OPP wrapped up its 2011 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign on January 1, 2012. This program was part of a province wide campaign to create visibility and increase awareness pertaining to drinking and driving throughout the holiday season.

The campaign which started on November 25, 2011 was highly visible and successful within Perth County. During the 38 days of the campaign, Perth County OPP officers conducted 327 R.I.D.E. spot checks at various locations throughout the county. A total of 24,182 drivers were spoken to at these checks.

At the R.I.D.E. checks Perth County OPP officers laid 4 impaired driving charges and issued 4 Warn Range and Administrative Driver’s License Suspensions.

During the same period an additional 3 impaired driving charges were laid and 2 Warn Range and Administrative Driver’s License Suspensions were issued to drivers stopped by officers on regular patrol.

During the R.I.D.E. checks a large number of liquor, drug and other violations were discovered and the appropriate charges were laid.

During the 2010/2011 Festive R.I.D.E. program in Perth County officers stopped a total of 27,383 vehicles and only charged 1 driver with impaired driving and only 1 Warn Range and Administrative Driver’s License Suspension was issued.

Staff Sergeant Joel Skelding of the Perth County OPP reflects on the Festive R.I.D.E. results: “This year our officers worked extremely hard in being the visible reminder and deterrent to those who may have been thinking about drinking and driving. They set up their stops in new and different locations in the hopes of increasing visibility and awareness. It is however disappointing 8 drivers found it necessary to drink and get behind the wheel putting innocent individuals and families at risk”.

Motorists are reminded that regular R.I.D.E. programs will continue to be conducted throughout the year in Perth County as part of the OPP’s committed effort to reduce tragic loss of life and injury on Ontario’s roads due to impaired driving.

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