New Festive RIDE stats show fewer drivers were charged with impaired driving this year than last.
The province-wide wrap-up of the OPP’s holiday spot check blitz showed 587 drivers were charged with impaired driving between November 24th and January 2nd.
A total of 623 drivers were charged during the 2016-2017 Festive RIDE campaign.
Police also issued 366 Warn Range suspensions compared to 407 last season.
The roadside suspension is issued when a driver has between 50 and 80 milligrams of blood-alcohol.
The reduced numbers come despite the increase in Festive RIDE spot checks this year, up from 7, 343 last year to 9,830.
Part of the OPP arsenal was the use of their Drug Recognition Evaluators, officers specially trained to detect drug impairment.
29 of the 587 impaired driving charges were drug-related.
West Parry Sound OPP Constable Kyle Ney says police are trying to send the message that drivers should be mindful of their recreational and prescription drug use.
In the West Parry Sound region, OPP conducted 174 spot checks during the Festive RIDE campaign.
Seven impaired charges were laid and three Warn Range suspensions handing out.
