Saugeen Shores police chief Dan Rivett says impaired driving charges in the municipality are going up and have been for several years.
Rivett says it concerns him that some people simply aren’t getting the message that drinking and driving don’t mix.
He says the same trend is evidenced provincially and nationally as well.
Rivett says in 2005 there were 39 arrests for impaired driving related incidents.
That increased in 2006 to 74 arrests and last year to 98 arrests.
So far in 2008 49 arrests for impaired driving related incidents and an additional 12 individuals have had their driving licence suspended.
He says at this rate, 2008 will match last year’s numbers if not surpass them.
If there is an upside to these statistics Rivett says one of the reasons for the increase in numbers could be the increase in RIDE programs in the municipality.
In addition, more private citizens are really coming on board and reporting suspected drunk driving cases.
However Rivett says the bottom line is not to drink and drive, otherwise his force and others in the area are going to prosecute to the full extent of the law.
