Chatham-Kent police have launched the service's annual holiday RIDE campaign and officers say residents can expect to see an increase in enforcement.
The campaign will run throughout the holiday season and into the new year.
According to Chatham-Kent police Const. Kristen Charron, between January 1, 2023 and November 2, 2023, local police have made 105 impaired driving arrests.
"This averages out to about 10.5 (arrests) per month or approximately one (arrest) every three days," said Const. Charron. "This is an increase of 12.9 per cent compared to last year."
Of the 17 major collisions investigated by local police this year, impairment by drugs or alcohol was a known factor in six of those collisions, which resulted in the deaths of six people.
"That is just under half of the fatal motor vehicle collisions investigated by police this year," said Const. Charron.
So far this year, Chatham-Kent police have conducted 31 RIDE programs throughout Chatham-Kent, resulting in 5213 vehicles being stopped, 18 road side tests administered, and 3 criminal code charges being laid.
Wednesday also marked the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.
Rachelle Mattsson, who lost her mother Wendy Clark in a hit-and-run collision in Ridgetown on October 19, 2022, helped honour those who lost their lives or have been affected because of a crash.
"These are more than statistics to me, these are real lives cut short," said Mattsson. "Remembering those affected by road crashes serves as a stark reminder to be a safe and responsible driver."
Chatham-Kent police will be conducting an additional eight RIDE programs throughout the holiday season across the community.
