R.I.D.E. kicks off this Friday

OPP News Release

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The holiday season is upon us and the North Bay OPP cluster (which includes North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan Detachments) wants to remind the motoring public of the dangers of mixing alcohol and/or drugs with driving. Commencing on Friday, November 28th, 2008 and running through to Friday, January 2nd, 2009, the OPP will team up with police services across the province for the annual Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.

Be prepared to see your local OPP officers in your neighbourhood in an effort to remove the threat of the impaired driver, and reduce the death toll on Ontario roads…the leading criminal cause of death in Canada. Between January 1st and October 31st, 2008, North Bay OPP processed 97 charges for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

Last year, during the five-week OPP Festive R.I.D.E., officers in the area stopped 17,549 vehicles at roadside checkpoints. Fourteen (14) people were charged with criminal code alcohol-related offences and received a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension while another 24 people received a 12-hour licence suspension.

During that same time period, officers investigated 139 motor vehicle collisions. Of that, 25 people were injured and there were no fatalities. Five motor vehicle collisions involved the consumption of alcohol.

The North Bay OPP Cluster will be doing their part to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Please do yours by not drinking and driving.

“Having ‘one too many’ is only a crime once you get behind the wheel.”

Have a safe holiday season!

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