Keep your festive cheer to a minimum if you’re driving.
Starting this November 28th local police forces will be ramping up their annual Festive RIDE program.
Grey County OPP Media Relations Officer Steve Starr says police will hold random roadside traffic stops in an effort to catch people who drink and drive.
Starr says thanks to some provincial grant money, they’re going to increase the number of RIDE hours.
He says so far in 2008, RIDE programs at night have increased by 28 percent.
Starr says last year, over 19 thousand vehicles were checked.
However, he says it’s interesting to note that most of impaired drivers caught during last year’s Festive RIDE program were picked up by regular patrols.
Motorists who blow a “warn” in the roadside screening device receive an immediate 12 hour suspension
If the results are over the legal limit, the driver will be charged with “Over 80”.
In both cases, a 90 day suspension goes into effect immediately and the motorist has to show up for fingerprinting and a court appearance.
Starr says although the RIDE programs are aimed at catching people who drink and drive, the program’s awareness campaign has a larger overall impact.
This year’s RIDE program continues until January 2nd.
