OPP’s RIDE program now underway, to help holiday revellers get home safe

With the festive season here, police cruisers will be on the roads more, ensuring that people can get home safely.

Bancroft OPP and Killaloe OPP say they’re now participating in the Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program, which runs until January 2. The campaign aims to take alcohol and drug-impaired drivers off the road. 

Police say they’ll be highly visible and drivers can expect to see RIDE programs in their communities. They ask people to do their part by never driving after consuming drugs or alcohol and stopping others from driving, if they’re under the influence. 

Bancroft OPP says that the Mandatory Alcohol Screening law allows police with an approved alcohol screening device to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver, even if the driver isn’t suspected of being impaired.

The detachment says if you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver or make another plan. 

And if you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 911.