Even with challenging weather and road conditions of late, the Southern Georgian Bay OPP continues to operate the R.I.D.E. program at any hour in safe locations on roadways and trails in North Simcoe. Since the Festive R.I.D.E. commenced on November 17, 2022, officers have checked over 1588 vehicles, including snow vehicles, at 148 different R.I.D.E. spot check locations.
The following seasonal message from our road safety partner, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee, sums up being safe on our roads & trails at this time of year.
Only one driver during this time has been charged criminally with an Impaired Driving offence as a result of being checked at a R.I.D.E. spot check location during this time.
On December 28, 2022, officers responded at 8:44 p.m. to a report of a possible impaired driver called into the OPP Communications Centre by a community member at the intersection of Christine Drive and Pratt Avenue, Midland. As a result of this ongoing investigation, a 38-year-old male Tay Township driver was arrested and removed from the roadway. He was later released, and investigators will be awaiting further investigation results.
The name of the accused was not released.
Drivers are reminded to make the “right choice” after consuming alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel, and please make a plan to get home safely.