With tougher penalties for impaired driving announced early last summer, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has reported the number of charges laid during the 2024 festive RIDE campaign. Across the province 1,208 impaired charges were laid this year, compared with 1,472 during last year’s RIDE campaign. While the number of charges laid has decreased, OPP spokespersons emphasize that even one impaired charge is one too many. The image above shows the results of the OPP East Region 2024-25 RIDE campaign. Image: X.com/OPP East Region
Effective January 1st, impaired drivers in Ontario face tougher penalties. First and second-time roadside license suspensions are increased to seven and fourteen days from three and seven days respectively. If convicted of impaired driving, first and second-time offenders will be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle and they will have to undergo mandatory remedial education and treatment for alcohol and drug-related offences. Anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death will receive a lifetime licence suspension.
OPP Upper Ottawa Valley festive RIDE report
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign took place from November 21, 2024, until January 1, 2025. During this year’s Festive RIDE campaign Upper Ottawa Valley OPP officers conducted 129 RIDE checks in the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment area.
Over the course of the campaign 18 drivers were charged with impaired driving, over 80mg or refusal. In addition to the Criminal Code driving charges, four roadside driver’s licence suspensions were also issued during the campaign for drivers who registered in the warn range on a Roadside Screening Device.
Although the Festive RIDE campaign has concluded the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP is committed to making our roadways safe and RIDE programs will continue throughout the year at any time of the day or night.
Peever,S.,OPP Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment(2025,Jan.6) UPPER OTTAWA VALLEY OPP WRAP UP FESTIVE R.I.D.E. PROGRAM [media release]