Nearly 300 impaired driving charges were laid during the 2024 OPP Festive RIDE campaign.
It kicked off on November 21, 2024 and ended on January 1, 2025 with 1,938 RIDE check events. There were a total of 292 impaired driving charges and 19 warn-range suspensions.
In 2023, there were 353 impaired driving charges laid and 55 warn-range suspensions.
In Lambton County, out of the 125 RIDE check events 22 people were charged with impaired driving and six drivers were given warn-range suspensions.
In 2023, the county had 44 impaired driving charges and 12 suspensions.
Meanwhile, Essex County, Huron County, South Bruce and Grey Bruce all saw decreases in impaired driving charges for the 2024 campaign.
In Essex County, there were 48 charges laid and two suspensions given.
Meanwhile, in South Bruce 11 impaired charges were laid and one suspension was handed out and in Grey Bruce County a total of 16 charges were laid.
Lastly, in Elgin County 13 impaired charges were laid in 161 RIDE check events and three suspensions were handed out.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said impaired driving continues to be one of the leading causes of death and injury on highways.
"49 people so far, last year died in alcohol or drug related collisions. That may be down from the previous year but it is still far too many," he said. "People are making bad choices. They're getting into a vehicle after they've been drinking or consuming drugs and driving."
Schmidt reminds drivers that while this specific campaign is over, RIDE check events will happen year-round.
