Not only are Police out in full force this Civic holiday weekend — looking impaired and aggressive drivers — but they want you to keep a lookout as well.
It’s part of ‘Operation Lookout’.
The campaign started in Bruce and Grey Counties in 2000 and Police hail the program as a huge success.
In Owen Sound — Community Services Officer Chris Hartley tells Bayshore Broadcasting News more and more people are calling 9-1-1 as part of the program.
And He notes that has led to the arrest of more impaired drivers every year.
Constable Hartley encourages you to continue to call if you see an impaired driver — either in a vehicle, trailer, boat, ATV or even an E-Bike.
Hartley says an impaired driver on the road is an emergency because someone could die.
Hartley attributes part of the success to the fact more people have cellphones and blue tooth and they can call 9-1-1 right from their vehicle.
Hartley says they want you to be as detailed as possible when you call 9-1-1.
Some of the information you can share includes the description of the vehicle and driver, a licence plate, how many people are in the vehicle and where you are.
Hartley admits Police are still frustrated at how many motorists continue to drunk and drive.
Hartley says it appears younger people do get the message and plan ahead — and it’s the older people who break the law and risk lives.
Stats show 25 per cent of all traffic collisions in Ontario involve alcohol.
Over a year — about 260 Grey Bruce residents make an emergency room visit due to intoxication — that is about five visits every week.
Across Canada — someone is killed by an impaired driver every eight hours.
17 people have died on OPP patrolled roads over the last three Civic Holiday weekends.
So far this year — more than 170 people have died on OPP patrolled roads, waterways and trails.
