Photo by B. Shakyaver
Ontario Provincial Police in the West Region say this year’s Festive RIDE campaign is already having a strong impact on road safety.
With just over one week left in the campaign, officers from the West Region’s 13 detachments have carried out more RIDE spot checks and laid more impaired driving charges than they did during the entire 2024 campaign.
So far, West Region OPP officers have conducted more than 2,500 RIDE check events. These checks have led to 210 impaired driving charges and 29 warn-range suspensions.
Across Ontario, OPP officers have also been busy. Police have laid more than 1,000 impaired driving charges and issued 109 warn-range suspensions after nearly 7,300 RIDE checks in OPP-patrolled areas.
By comparison, last year’s Festive RIDE campaign in the West Region resulted in 187 impaired driving charges and 19 warn-range suspensions after just under 2,000 RIDE checks.
The OPP Festive RIDE campaign runs from November 20th, to January 1st, 2026. During this time, drivers can expect to see an increased police presence on roads and highways at all hours of the day and night.
Police say the goal of the campaign is to keep roads safe by removing alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers and by reminding the public about the dangers of impaired driving. Anyone who suspects a driver may be impaired is urged to call 9-1-1.