OPP East Region: Number of Impaired Drivers Continues to Increase – Week Five of Festive RIDE Program

Smiths Falls – Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers across the East Region arrested another 20 impaired drivers during the fifth week of the Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.

This brings the total to 103 motorists charged with impaired driving since the initiative began on November 21, 2024.

“The OPP encourages everyone to celebrate the arrival of 2025 safely. Make plans in advance to get home, such as having a designated driver, taking a taxi, ride-share or public transit. Impaired driving can instantly change a celebration into a tragedy.” – Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm, OPP East Region Commander.

Officers have conducted over 1100 Festive RIDE programs across eastern Ontario, stopping vehicles to ensure the drivers were not impaired by alcohol or drugs.

In addition to the impaired driving arrests, officers also issued a total of 29 warning-range suspensions, resulting in those drivers being issued licence suspensions and having their vehicles impounded.

RIDE programs can happen anywhere, anytime – day or night. We could be anywhere, but we can’t be everywhere. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. You could be saving lives.