During the month of December 2014, the Sault Ste Marie Police Service teamed up with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police to conduct RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) checks in the City of Sault Ste Marie.
A total of 2459 motorists where checked, which resulted in 28 roadside tests being conducted. These tests resulted in 5 motorists receiving 3 day licence suspensions and 6 being charged with Criminal Over .08 charges, compared to 1 for last season’s Festive campaign. Those being charged with over .08 also had the car they were driving impounded for 7 days and their Drivers Licence immediately suspended for 90 days. A further 16 drivers were charged with various traffic related offences, including 3 drivers with their licence already under suspension.
Though there were those who made the wrong decision and decided drink and drive, the majority made the right decision and used an alternate means to get home or as occurred in many instances, car loads of those that were drinking were being taken home by a sober Designated Driver.
The Sault Ste Marie Police would like to thank those who volunteered to be a designated driver during the festive season, and all drivers who were checked at a Festive RIDE check for their patience and assistance for keeping our roads safe during this holiday season. Though the Festive RIDE program has ended, RIDE will continue throughout 2015 in the hope of continuing to reduce to toll that drinking and driving costs those who use our roadways.
