Five local police services came together to kick off this year’s Festive RIDE program in an effort to keep the roads safe over the holidays

Local police are looking to keep the roads safe over the holiday season.

Members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service, Batchewana First Nation Police, OPP, and RCMP kicked off this year’s Festive RIDE program this morning in an effort to curb impaired driving throughout December.

“If you had some drinks, don’t take that chance. Don’t get behind the wheel,” said Sault Police Chief Brent Duguay at a news conference held on Bay Street near the Gateway Casino.

“Don’t take the risk and risk other people’s lives. Take the opportunity and call a cab, plan for a ride, spend the night,” Duguay said.

Over last year’s holiday season, the OPP hosted 119 RIDE checks in the Sault area, resulting in six impaired driving charges and nine warn-range suspensions.

Duguay said police have seen “a bit of a rise” in impaired driving recently, which he attributed to a spike in impaired by drug charges as officers are trained how to spot those intoxicated by substances other than alcohol.

“We are able to now identify more closely somebody who’s impaired by drugs,” Duguay said.

“Obviously, with impaired by alcohol, we still have the same tools in the toolkit.

“Unfortunately, you saw a bit of a spike there, but we’re hoping that those numbers start to come down again as the education level goes up.”

Impaired drivers could face the suspension of their driver’s licence, vehicle impoundment, fines, and jail time. 

Certain drivers, such as those under the age of 22, drivers with a G1 or G2 licence, or commercial drivers who are caught with any alcohol or cannabis in their system could face an automatic three-day licence suspension.

Convicted drivers will face suspensions, heavy fines, having their vehicle impounded, mandatory alcohol education and treatment programs, the ignition interlock program and a potential increase to cost of their insurance.

“If you’re drinking anything or using any kind of narcotic, don’t get behind the wheel,” Duguay said.

“If you think you’ve got to come up with an excuse for why you’ve had too many drinks, our answer is going to be there is no excuse to justify drinking and driving.”

–with files from James Hopkin