Region of Peel – From November 12, 2023, to January 2, 2024, the Peel Regional Police held their annual holiday season R.I.D.E. (Reducing Impaired Driving Everywhere) Campaign, which saw nearly 13,000 motorists checked and hundreds of charges laid.
During the campaign, dedicated teams of officers worked around the clock to specifically target impaired drivers. This strategy includes R.I.D.E. checkpoints, traffic stops, and responding to citizen reports of impaired driving.
As the 2023 campaign comes to a successful end, here is a break-down of the numbers:
- 12,472 vehicles investigated
- 53 Charges for Operation while Impaired by Alcohol
- 97 Charges for Blood Alcohol Concentration in Excess of the Legal Limit
- 19 Refusal or Failure to Provide Breath Sample
- 5 Charges for Operation while Impaired by Drugs
- 116 Roadside Drivers Licence Suspensions for Alcohol
- 259 Highway Traffic Act Charges
Additionally, two firearms were located and seized as a result of R.I.D.E. officers’ investigations. Motorists are asked to be mindful of the dangers and risks associated with impaired driving and are encouraged to plan and arrange for a safe ride home. All young drivers, novice drivers, and commercial drivers are required to have zero presence of alcohol and drugs in their system while driving.
Road Safety is an ongoing priority for Peel Regional Police to support our strategy of Community Safety and Well-Being for our community, and it is a shared responsibility. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, please call 911. If you consume alcoholic beverages or drugs, do not drive. Ensure that you have a plan to get home by having a designated driver, an alternate place to stay, or use public transportation.