McGuinty government investing in more RIDE checks

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

********************

The Ontario government is helping to reduce car accidents and save lives in Nipissing by supporting police officers who conduct Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) spot checks.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and local police services will receive $59,630.82 in funding for this year’s RIDE efforts to keep the roads safe in Nipissing:
$5,391.84 for the OPP in North Bay (Bonfield)
$7,303.16 for the OPP in North Bay (East Ferris)
$7,303.16 for the OPP in North Bay (Powassan)
$7,303.16 for the OPP in North Bay (Mattawa)
$16,164.75 for the North Bay Police Service
$16,164.75 for the Anishinabek Police Service

Across Ontario, more than 8,000 officers will be funded for a second year – double the number of officers compared to 2007-08.

Ontario’s continued support for RIDE makes a direct impact on road safety. Last year police conducted close to 784,000 spot checks, resulting in 970 impaired driving charges and 1,900 12-hour license suspensions.

The visibility of RIDE spot checks also serve as an effective public education and awareness campaign to deter impaired driving.

“The RIDE program is incredibly important in our community. This funding is an integral part of our police effort to keep impaired drivers off our roads,” said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. 

“Our goal is to stop impaired driving, period. RIDE is one of the most effective programs in North America to combat drinking and driving and make Ontario’s roads even safer,” said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

“I want to thank the province for their ongoing support in the form of the annual RIDE grant. It is through these monies that we are able to put additional officers on the street specific to enforcement in relation to drinking and driving,” said Chief Paul Cook of the North Bay Police Service. “It is through the RIDE program that we are able to raise awareness regarding drinking and driving and keep our communities safer.”

QUICK FACTS

One hundred and seventy RIDE participants including municipal and First Nations services and OPP municipal contract locations will immediately benefit from increased funding.

In 2008-09 Ontario increased its commitment from $1.2 million to $2.4 million to support year round spot checks. That amount will be maintained for 2009-10.

Since 1988, Ontario has provided grants to help local police services expand RIDE activities.

********************