Windsor police have urged caution as the holiday season moves into full swing.
With the weekend before Christmas getting underway, there will be plenty of holiday get-togethers, many of which involve alcoholic beverages being served. Police say safety is everyone's responsibility to ensure that drivers do not spend the holiday season in a hospital bed, a jail cell, or even a funeral coach.
"Please make a commitment if you are planning to consume alcohol or drugs to not get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle," said Constable Talya Natyshak. "There is no magic number of drinks a person can consume prior to driving to be ok to drive. The best plan of action a person can take if consuming alcohol or drugs is don't drive."
Police suggest many options for celebrating safely, starting with designating a driver who will not drink alcohol or use cannabis or other drugs. If you do drink, call a cab or an Uber, use public transport, or spend the night wherever you celebrate.
Never, ever get into a vehicle with a driver who is impaired.
"If someone says they are 'fine' and you have seen them consuming any alcohol or drugs, err on the side caution and choose another way home," said Natyshak.
Impaired driving is a severe criminal offence that can have significant, and even fatal, consequences. Police say if you think you see a drunk on the road, call 911 immediately. Signs of impaired driving include someone driving too slow, quickly speeding up or slowing down, driving with their headlights off, or hitting something. The Government of Canada reports that impaired driving is the country's number-one criminal cause of death and injury. In 2017, 69,000 impaired driving incidents were reported nationwide.
Officers in both Windsor and Amherstburg will be extra vigilant throughout the Christmas and New Year's period, with RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) checkpoints springing up. Ontario Provincial Police and the LaSalle Police Service will also be cracking down.
For additional information on how to be safe while partying this holiday season, or tips on how to have fun without being dependent on alcohol, visit MADD Canada's official website.
---with files from Adelle Loiselle
