The Festive RIDE campaign resulted in OPP officers removing 539 alcohol/drug-impaired drivers from roads during Festive RIDE stops between November 23, 2018 and January 2, 2019.
An additional 384 drivers where issued Warn Range Suspensions for having a Blood Alcohol Concentration in the .05 and .08 range.
Officers conducted a total of 10,270 RIDE stop events throughout the province during the campaign, marking the first time the number of OPP RIDE stop events exceeds the 10,000 mark.
During the previous (2017/18) Festive RIDE campaign, the OPP charged 587 drivers with alcohol/drug-impaired driving, issued 366 Warn Range Suspensions and conducted 9,830 RIDE stops.
Tragically, there were 42 alcohol/drug-related road deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in 2018.
The OPP is reminding drivers that as of December 18, 2018, police can demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking.
Under the new legislation, drivers impaired by alcohol now also face higher mandatory minimum fines and some higher maximum penalties.
