More than 700 charged in OPP Festive RIDE campaign

Holiday R.I.D.E. program stats unveiled: OPP 49 people died in 2024 due to alcohol or drug-related collisions.

With the conclusion of the holiday season, Ontario Provincial Police wrapped up their annual Festive RIDE campaign this week, reportedly charging 743 with impaired driving between November 21, 2024, and January 1, 2025.

According to a release sent out by OPP on Friday, the charged drivers faced the threat of losing their licence for a full year and paying tough financial penalties.

OPP also reported 155 immediate roadside warn range suspensions that were issued to drivers registering a blood alcohol concentration between 0.05 and 0.08.

More than nine thousand RIDE initiatives in total were conducted throughout the province according to OPP.

Southern Georgian Bay OPP also sent out a release on Friday about their Festive RIDE data from November 22, 2024 until January 1, 2025.

The detachment reported more than 135 separate ride check programs conducted, resulting in 1974 vehicles and drivers getting checked on area roadways and more than 300 snowmobiles and operators getting checked on trails.

“Sadly, eleven persons were charged in North Simcoe with impaired driving offences by officers on patrol during this time frame,” stated Const. David Hobson from Southern Georgian Bay OPP in the release.

OPP reminds drivers that RIDE spot checks are conducted throughout the year on a 24/7 basis in an effort to reduce impaired driving.