West Region OPP members have officially kicked off their Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.
The program is designed to reduce impaired and drug related incidents through the holiday season.
“Drivers can expect a heightened police presence on West Region roads and highways in addition to the highly visible and dedicated effort from officers across West Region conducting RIDE checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” says Sergeant Ed Sanchuck.
(Photo Credit: West Region OPP) Festive RIDE checks will now be conducted over the holidays, lasting through to January.
He says that while the holidays are meant to be a cheery time of year, to not let those celebrations make their way onto the roads.
Sanchuck says that even with the program running through the holidays, they’ve already been seeing a rise in checks through the entirety of the year so far.
“To date in 2023, West Regions members have conducted over 7170 RIDE check events in all 13 detachment areas, compared to 3559 RIDE check events in 2022, that’s a 166 per cent increase,” says Sanchuck.
The heightened holiday presence is set to last through to January and Sanchuck says that, while the OPP can’t be everywhere, they could be anywhere this holiday season.
