NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) Campaign wrapped up on Jan. 13, 2017.
Officers conducted 143 initiatives in the County with 13 drivers charged for being impaired by alcohol, one driver was charged with being impaired by a drug and one driver was charged for refusing to provide a breath sample.
In addition, 28 drivers were issued a Warn Range Suspension for driving with a Blood-Alcohol concentration between .05 and .08. Driving within this range impairs one’s ability to drive safely.
Officers charged 10 people for possession of suspected drugs and 35 drivers were removed from County roadways for driving while their licences were suspended.
“All in all, this 52-day campaign can be summed-up as some-what encouraging,” says Wellington County OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Scott Lawson.
“No one was seriously injured or killed as a result of an impaired driver. With a total of 310 collisions occurring over this timeframe only three involved a driver who had been consuming alcohol, although this is still one driver too many,” he said.
“Our entire community has to be committed to keeping our roadways safe. If we all take an active role in ensuring those around us don’t drink and drive or get behind the wheel with drugs in their system, we can all make a positive difference.” Wellington County OPP will continue to conduct R.I.D.E. programs throughout the year, at all times of the day.
No matter what the season or holiday it is, driving impaired is never safe and nor legal, urge your friends and loved ones to take alternate transportation.
Impaired driving incidents usually involve innocent drivers, and many lives are ruined in the aftermath of this very bad decision. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired, call 9-1-1 to report your suspicion to the police.
Let’s all do our part to continue to keep Wellington County roads safe!
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