Police officers from different services were stopping vehicles at Wasi Corners Friday afternoon, but they all had the same message to drivers...don't drink or take drugs and get behind the wheel.
It was the kickoff of the "Festive RIDE Campaign" on area roadways. RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) spot checks have been in place for years, summer and winter but police like to give it a boost over the holiday season.
And with all the talk these days of legalized marijuana, police will be keeping a sharp eye out for the drugged driver.
"Marijuana is going to be readily accessible," says Const. Sherri Wilson of the OPP Highway Safety division. "And it's going to be like drinking and driving was a few decades ago where everyone thinks they're ok, but really they're not."
Some police officers have been specially trained to spot drivers impaired by drugs but the drill initially will be much the same as drunk driving.
The first is the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test where there are three clues for each eye that police will check.
- Do your eyes move smoothly or jerk noticeably,
- Do your eyes jerk when you have moved them to the side as far as possible, and
- Does your eye starts to jerk before it has moved through a 45-degree angle.
"The second test, like you see on TV, is the 'heel to toe' test where we have them walk a line and the third is where we have them do the 'one leg stand' test. With the drug recognition evaluation, they expand on the one leg test where they do it on both legs."
Also, expect medical tests like temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
Patrick McCourt of Callander was one of the drivers stopped at Wasi Corners yesterday, and he fully supports police efforts to keep the roads safe.
"I think it's great. It's going to create awareness. I think people are starting to get into the holiday mood and with that comes alcohol and this is a good reminder.
It's a good reminder that we have to make proper plans and be safe an enjoy the celebrations but not to drink and drive."
Police will be checking drivers at various hours and at numerous locations.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 1985 that RIDE spot checks do not violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
