The OPP Festive R.I.D.E. campaign starts today.
Officers will be setting up random traffic stops around the clock between now, and January 2nd.
Last year, the OPP charged 593 drivers with impaired-related charges during the Festive RIDE initiative. There were also 485 people who had their licenses suspended following a warning.
The OPP now have Drug Recognition officers with specialized training to identify drug impaired drivers. Those officers will be part of the 2015 Festive RIDE initiative.
Police are also encouraging the public to call them if you see someone who gets behind the wheel after they have been drinking or may be impaired by drugs.
The OPP report that from January to October of this year, the numbers of alcohol-involved occurrences are up 3 percent over the same period last year.
That's a troubling trend, says Brad Blair, OPP Deputy Commissioner, "So far this year the OPP have laid over 6800 alcohol and drug impaired driving charges. This is an unbelievable statistic. There are many ways to get home after a party. Don’t drink or do drugs and drive, it’s just not worth it. I encourage everyone to have a plan to get home before they get behind the wheel this holiday season."
