(PEMBROKE, ON) – The fourth week of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) 2015 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign took place from December 14 to December 20. During this time officers from the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP conducted 46 RIDE checks at various locations throughout the detachment area. Over 1700 vehicles were checked with no Impaired Driving or Over 80mg charges being laid as a result of the RIDE checks although on December 14 a tractor trailer driver was charged with drug possession after being stopped at a RIDE check point in Petawawa. Charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Substance – Cannabis Marihuana – contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is 37 year old Jason Stewart of Laurentian Hills. He was released on an appearance notice with a court date set for February 2, 2016 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke.
On December 18 the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP stopped a vehicle on Highway 17 in Laurentian Valley Township between Forest Lea Rd and Doran Rd after a driving complaint was received about the vehicle. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and as a result 40 year old Alexander PELTIER of Ottawa was charged with Impaired Driving and Driving with Over 80mg of Alcohol in his Blood contrary to the Criminal Code. He was released on a Promise to Appear with a scheduled court date of January 19, 2016 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke
On December 20 the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP received information about a possible impaired driver. The vehicle was located and stopped by police in a residential area in the Town of Petawawa. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and as a result 36 year old Tammy POPKIE of Petawawa was charged with Impaired Driving and Driving with Over 80mg of Alcohol in her Blood contrary to the Criminal Code. She was released on a Promise to Appear with a scheduled court date of January 26, 2016 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke.
Also on December 20 the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP received information about a possible impaired driver. Police located and stopped the vehicle on Doran Road in Petawawa. The driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and as a result 49 year old Kevin FELTHAM of Petawawa was charged with Impaired Driving and Driving with Over 80mg of Alcohol in his Blood contrary to the Criminal Code. He was released on a Promise to Appear with a scheduled court date of January 19, 2016 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Pembroke
In the first four weeks of the Festive Ride Program over 5000 vehicles were checked during the 143 RIDE programs conducted by Upper Ottawa Valley OPP officers. Since November 23 four charges of Impaired Driving and four charges of Over 80mg have been laid by Upper Ottawa Valley OPP officers.
The OPP’s 2015 Festive RIDE campaign began on November 23 and continues until January 2, 2016.
