HALDIMAND—More enforcement, more charges. That’s the end result of the 2023/24 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign in OPP’s West Region.
Members of West Region’s 13 detachments conducted checkpoints across southwestern Ontario as part of this year’s Festive RIDE campaign, which began on November 16, 2023 and concluded on January 1, 2024.
This year’s final Festive RIDE campaign numbers are below, with 2022 campaign results in parentheses:
Impaired Driving charges: 353 (278)
Warn-Range suspensions: 55 (35)
RIDE events: 2,446 (1,804)
Number of vehicles that drove through a RIDE event: 13,197.
Haldimand County OPP completed 111 RIDE events, laying 14 impaired driving charges and one warn-range suspension. Last year Haldimand OPP laid 10 impaired driving charges during the RIDE campaign.
Nearby communities saw similar numbers. Norfolk hosted 112 events, laying 16 impaired charges (down from 19 in 2022) and four warn-range suspensions, while Brant OPP hosted 117 events and laid 17 impaired charges (up from 16 in 2022) and one range suspension.
Across West Region, Essex saw the most charges laid (59 impaired and seven warn-range) found in 247 RIDE events. They were followed by Lambton (44 impaired and 12 warn-range charges over 246 events) and Middlesex (41 impaired and seven warn-range charges over 228 events).
“West Region OPP will continue efforts to get impaired drivers off the road beyond the holiday season and throughout the year. Drivers can expect to see RIDE checkpoints in their area at any time,” said Inspector Mike McConnell/OPP West Region Traffic and Marine Manager. “Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of death, injury, and property damage on Ontario roadways and it’s entirely preventable. If you plan to drink or take drugs, use a designated driver, a taxi, or a rideshare service to get home safely.”
More information on impaired driving penalties and terminology can be found at
ontario.ca/page/impaired-driving.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) remain committed to ensuring Ontario roads are safe from drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired drivers.
If you suspect an impaired driver, make that lifesaving call and dial 911.
