‘Disturbing’ holiday RIDE results

The Ontario Provincial Police Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) in eastern Ontario that ran from November 25, 2011 – January 1, 2012, has wrapped up with some sobering results.
This year, the OPP did not track the number of vehicles or drivers checked, but we are concerned about the number of impaired/over “80”/ refusal charges compared to the same time period of the “Festive RIDE” in 2010. They have doubled:
There were 103 Impaired/Over 80/Refusal charges in 2011 compared with 51 in 2010.
There were 83 Warn Range Suspensions in 2011 compared with 77 in 2010.
“It is very disturbing that so many people decided to risk not only their life, but also their family, friends and others sharing the road this holiday season,” said Inspector Dave Springer, East Region Manager, Traffic and Marine.  “Our officers removed 103 impaired drivers from the roads during the OPP’s “Festive RIDE”. Another 83 had their license suspended for registering in the “warn” range on a road side device! This is unacceptable. OPP officers across the Region will continue to focus on those who have decided to endanger others on our highways.”
The OPP would like to thank everyone who made the right choice to not get behind the wheel after drinking.