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(SOUTH BRUCE, ON) – The OPP Festive RIDE campaign ran from Nov. 25, 2011, to Jan. 1, 2012, and netted 1,203 impaired drivers on roads and highways patrolled by OPP officers.

Of this total, 652 were charged with impaired driving and the other 551 were issued immediate Warn Range suspensions for having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) between .05 and .08. In comparison, during the 2010-2011 Festive RIDE campaign, 308 drivers were charged with impaired driving and 613 were issued Warn Range suspensions, for a total of 921.

Last year, 47 people died in alcohol-related crashes on OPP-patrolled roads. 

At the South Bruce OPP Detachment, 10 drivers were pulled off the road during the Festive RIDE campaign. Of those, six were issued Warn Range suspensions, the other four were charged with Impaired driving.

“The Festive RIDE campaign ended Jan. 1, but an impaired driver represents a serious threat to public safety on the road all year long," said inspector Bill Klym, commander, South Bruce OPP. "During this year’s campaign, 10 drivers were stopped and found to have been drinking alcohol before driving. These 10 drivers put lives at risk by choosing to drive after drinking. The residents of Southern Bruce County can expect the RIDE checks to continue all year, along with a zero tolerance for those who drive after drinking alcohol. Drive soberly or don’t drive at all.”

The OPP commends all those who acted responsibly over the holidays by driving soberly and helping to make Ontario roads safe for everyone.

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information that can assist police to call 1-888-310-1122.  Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or send a web-tip to crimestop-gb.org, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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Wednesday, January 04, 2012