One impaired driver is one too many.
And in the spirit of the season, and reverse a recent rise in impaired driving charges, Wellington County OPP and Guelph police have launched its annual Festive RIDE program.
The program is running until Jan. 1. Throughout the campaign, drivers can expect an increased police presence on the roadways, as officers look to get impaired drivers off the roads, so everyone can reach their destination safely.
RIDE checks may appear anywhere, at any time because impaired driving can happen anywhere, and at any time of the day.
“We look for places where we might have some higher volume, or maybe some places that may not be common places to travel, so we’re going to look for those people that are going to be avoiding detection,” OPP Cst. Josh Cunningham said.
There have been four impaired driving fatalities in Wellington County so far this year, one more than in 2022. In the first 10 months of the year, Wellington County OPP have laid 119 impaired driving charges, slightly more than the 115 laid in the same time period in 2022.
Guelph police said there have been 200 charges laid in 173 incidents up to this point in its jurisdiction.
Compare that to all of 2022, when 249 charges were laid in 231 incidents.
Numbers are trending “slightly ahead” of what was seen a year ago.
“It’s very concerning,” said Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey. “Ideally, we do things like this, ideally we’d like to have none.
“We would like to be out here for a couple of hours, and end up with no charges, and nobody being asked to provide a sample because that means the message is getting through.”
Cunningham and Tracey both added it’s not just drunk drivers officers are keeping an eye out for.
It’s about keeping those impaired by prescription drugs, illegal drugs and cannabis off the roads too.
“Even sleep deprivation level of impairment,” Cunningham said. “It makes things risky.”
A first-time offender can expect an immediate 90-day licence suspension, a seven-day vehicle impoundment and a $550 penalty.
But the consequences go further than that.
“Lawyers fees, tow fees, insurance fees, your own personal reputation in the community can be jeopardized,” Cunningham said.
“These are, in some ways, I would say ‘door prizes’ to the big prize, which would really be hurting yourself or someone you care about, or someone else in the community. These are the real consequences.”
You’re reminded to always plan ahead by having a designated driver, offer a sober ride to a friend or loved one, stay overnight or use public transportation.
And if you are on the roads, and suspect someone is driving under the influence, call 911 immediately.
“I’ve delivered bad news to families, and I’ve done it all seasons of the year,” Cunningham said.
“But there’s something much more painful in delivering bad news this time of year.
“We like to celebrate this time of year, but to turn around and have to deliver some horrible news on the doorsteps of such a festive time is really heartbreaking.”
