As Festive RIDE campaigns end in Waterloo region, Guelph, police warn drivers checks can happen 'anytime'

As the holiday season ends, regional and provincial police are releasing the total number of drivers checked and tickets handed out during festive RIDE (Reducing Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaigns.

Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) released the numbers for its Festive RIDE campaign that took place between Nov. 15, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025. 

In a release sent out on Friday, WRPS said officers stopped 8,157 vehicles across the region and conducted 76 roadside breath samples. Of those checked, three impaired driving-related charges were made. There were nine three-day suspensions where motorists registered a warning on roadside devices. 

There were also 24 Highway Traffic Act charges and one Cannabis Control Act charge. 

Staff Sgt. Scott Griffiths of the WRPS Traffic Services Unit said that these numbers have remained relatively unchanged from holiday to holiday. 

"There's no season for this unfortunately," he said. "It's something that we manage or deal with all year round."

Still, he said, it's an important reminder on every occasion that everyone should be acting responsibly if drinking or using drugs when celebrating the holidays. 

"We were very pleased to see that a large majority of people were making correct decisions and finding alternatives to driving if they were drinking or using drugs," Griffiths said. 

Guelph police and Wellington OPP kick off their annual festive RIDE campaign

2 months ago

Duration 1:28

Impaired driving is an issue all year round, but Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey says the problem is worse during the holiday season. The joint campaign kicks off this week and runs through the remainder of 2024. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)

Guelph and beyond

Guelph Police Service spokesperson Scott Tracey told CBC News that RIDE statistics this year in that city were virtually the same as last year.

This year, of over 1,700 vehicles checked, there were only two impaired charges and six three-day license suspensions. These are the same numbers as last year when just over 1,600 vehicles were stopped. 

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) also wrapped up their Festive RIDE numbers. Since Nov. 21, there have been 113 motorists charged with impaired driving in eastern Ontario. 

In western Ontario, OPP did almost 2,000 ride checks and had 292 impaired driving charges. According to their release, this is down from last year's 353 charges. 

In the release, OPP said to remember that RIDE programs don't stop after the holidays and can "happen anywhere, anytime." 

The WRPS release reminded drivers to plan ahead and arrange for a ride home and that all young, novice and commercial drivers must have zero alcohol and/or drugs in their system while driving.