The OPP conduct RIDE spot checks every day of the year, but resources are added during the holiday season with Festive RIDE.
Plan ahead by having a designated driver, take a taxi or stay overnight.
Drivers in Gravenhurst who encounter a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) Spot Check this festive season may see more than police officers out combating impaired driving. Other first responders are joining ranks with the OPP to send a strong message discouraging impaired driving.
“Our firefighters often see the tragic results of someone’s choice to drink and drive when we’re called upon to perform a rescue following a collision, so we want to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in blue that this is not acceptable here,” said Gravenhurst Fire Chief Larry Brassard. “Our firefighters would far rather invest our time in spreading the message of safety than putting their rescue skills into action, so this is a way we can do just that.”
“Our officers will be out in force as usual this festive season, and no one should be surprised that we’ll be setting up R.I.D.E. Spot Checks morning, noon or night,” said Constable Samantha Bigley of the Bracebridge Detachment of the O.P.P. “Having the other first responders join us, sends a strong visual message of unity that we’re all committed to keeping our communities safe,” she said.
Impaired driving, including being impaired by drug use, remains a serious problem in Muskoka. Bracebridge OPP report that so far this year, 136 charges have been laid in their detachment area alone. “Everything our communities can do to prevent even one tragedy is important.”
Drive sober and arrive alive this holiday season.
Time to start confiscating and crushing vehicles used by drunk drivers along wirh a minimum jail sentence for first time offenders. And make alcohol much more expensive and harder to buy.
OPP need to be there ,that’s great . Anyone else with them should be on their own time ( volunteer) otherwise a waste of tax dollars and personally I would not feel obligated to answer to anyone except OPP. NOT IMPRESSED