OPP will be out in force during the 2015 holiday season to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries by encouraging all motorists to drive responsibly. The Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign will begin on November 23 and run until January 2, 2016 says a news release.
The OPP is reminding motorists that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption when driving. An immediate roadside driver’s licence suspension will be issued to drivers who register a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in the “Warn Range” of .05 to .08. Offenders will not be allowed to drive from that point on for a minimum of three days.
The Festive R.I.D.E roadside checkpoints have become a familiar part of the holiday season and an effective countermeasure to the road safety issue of impaired driving. If you plan on drinking alcohol this festive season, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi, or stay overnight.
Impaired driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. While the OPP does increase their number of R.I.D.E. checkpoints over the holidays, they are reminding drivers that R.I.D.E. stops are carried out throughout the year.
One drink can reduce your ability to concentrate and slow your reaction time. The more alcohol in your blood, the more trouble you have judging distances. Drivers who blow over the legal limit (.08) or refuse a breath test will have their driver’s licences suspended immediately for 90 days under Ontario’s Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension Program.
Staff Sergeant Ron Campbell, West Parry Sound OPP Detachment Commander states, “Make this holiday season a memorable one for the right reasons. Please don’t drink and drive. If you suspect someone is driving while impaired, call 911 immediately. Help keep everyone safe on our roadways this holiday season.”
