Callander resident Richard Scully responds to Constable John Gallagher of the Highway Safety Division Wednesday afternoon during a R.I.D.E. stop. Photos by Jeff Turl.
The annual R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign kicked off today as various police forces joined together to send a message to motorists that they will work together to get drunk drivers off the road.
The corner of Callander Bay Drive and Lake Nosbonsing Road was the hotspot as officers checked drivers for impairment.
“We want the public to see the multi jurisdictional event,” said OPP Inspector Mark Andrews.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re going to try to be an impaired driver with drugs or alcohol, we’re going to catch you.
“Sadly this year again we have arrested impaired drivers in northeastern Ontario in every hour of the day.”
Richard Scully of Callander was glad to see the RIDE program back.
“I think it’s great. It’s very effective and definitely makes the community safer,” he told BayToday after being stopped and checked.
Traffic enforcement officer for the North Bay Police Service constable Ken Ayres agreed that it’s a community effort.
“We’re encouraging the general public, if they have concerns about another individual’s driving, whether impaired or not, to call 911 and let us make that determination, that’s our job and we’re proactively enforcing to ensure public safety."
The R.I.D.E. traffic stops continue throughout the holiday season until January 2nd.
Impaired Driving Statistics for North Bay and Callander over the past four years.
2014 63 (to date)
2013 68 (one collision involving an impaired driver resulted in a fatality)
2012 85
2011 56
