Police right across our region enforce impaired driving laws year-round, with a special emphasis on the holiday season.
OPP, city police, Northern College police foundations students and MADD launched this year’s Festive RIDE program in Timmins on Tuesday.
OPP Staff Sgt. René Paillé says the extra enforcement is needed to keep roads safe during the festive season.
“There’s always an increase of motorists traveling during the holiday season,” he observes, “and we want to make sure that people get to their families safe and sound.”
For decades, police and allied organizations have been preaching about the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Yet events like the annual Festive RIDE program are still needed to drive the message home.
Staff Sgt. Paillé says drivers are not getting the message.
“So we want to make sure that people are always reminded to stay safe, to have an alternate means of getting home and to find a reason for not drinking and driving.”
Paillé says the most important reason is your family.
Statistics show that across Canada, in the incidence of impaired driving, particularly with drugs, is increasing. That’s especially true for younger drivers.
The Festive RIDE program is on until January 2nd. You can expect to see roadside OPP spot checks anywhere, any time of the day.
(Bob McIntyre, MyKapuskasingNow.com staff)
