To The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region began the annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign last week amid a disturbing increase in deaths due to impaired driving in 2022.
To date in 2022, 27 people have died in collisions on West Region roadways due to impairment by alcohol or drugs. That’s a significant increase compared to the 15 impaired driving deaths experienced in West Region last year, which is why this year’s campaign takes on added significance.
The Festive RIDE campaign is an annual police enforcement and education initiative aimed at taking impaired drivers off Ontario roads during the holiday season. This year’s OPP Festive RIDE Campaign runs from November 17, 2022 to January 2, 2023. During the campaign, the public can expect an increased OPP presence on West Region roads and highways as officers conduct RIDE initiatives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the province.
The Mandatory Alcohol Screening law allows police with an approved alcohol screening device to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without having reasonable suspicion that a driver is alcohol impaired.
“No amount of alcohol or drugs is safe when driving. The OPP urges drivers to make the smart, safe choices this holiday season by arranging alternate transportation instead of endangering themselves and others by driving after consuming alcohol or drugs,” said Acting Inspector Ross Stuart, West Region Traffic and Marine Manager.
If you suspect an impaired driver, please make that lifesaving 911 call.
For more information concerning the consequences and penalties of impaired driving, please visit ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving.
2022 Impaired Driving Statistics for West Region (WR):
- In 2022, WR experienced 27 deaths on its roadways due to impaired driving collisions, compared to 15 in 2021.
- WR officers have laid 1,978 impaired driving charges in 2022, compared to 1,869 charges in 2021 (up 6% compared to 2021).
- WR officers have responded to 402 impaired driving collisions (down 2% compared to 2021).
2022 Provincial Impaired Driving Statistics
- In 2022, OPP-patrolled areas experienced 45 deaths due to impaired driving collisions, compared to 30 over the same time in 2021 (up 50% compared to 2021).
- In 2022, 591 people were injured in impaired driving collisions, compared to 568 in 2021 (up 4% compared to 2021).
- OPP officers have laid 8,501 impaired driving charges in 2022, compared to 7,971 in 2021.
- During the 2021-2022 Festive RIDE campaign, OPP officers conducted 8,374 RIDE initiatives, laid 1,188 impaired driving charges, and issued 237 Warn Range Suspensions.
- Impaired driving remains one of the leading criminal causes of death in Canada.
- 79% of all charged impaired drivers are male.
- 32% of all charged impaired drivers are between the ages of 25 and 32 years old. This is the age category with the greatest number of individuals charged with impaired driving.
