2023 Festive R.I.D.E. Launch
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, Anishinabek Police Service, Batchewana First Nation Police, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is launching its annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) Campaign.
The annual enforcement and education initiative aims to take impaired drivers off the roads in Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
During the 2022 Festive RIDE Campaign, Sault Police, and partner agencies, stopped and checked 1,290 vehicles within the jurisdiction of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. Those checks resulted in three criminal charges and four Highway Traffic Act charges.
The holiday season is a time for enjoying time with friends, family, and loved ones. With the launch of the Festive RIDE Campaign, we want to remind everyone to celebrate responsibly.
“We urge everyone in our community to have a plan when attending holiday functions,” says Traffic Sergeant Ray Magnan.
“If you are celebrating in such a way that your ability to operate a vehicle will be impaired, arrange for a ride home by calling a friend, family member, taxi or ride sharing company to get home. DO NOT drink or use drugs and drive.”
If you are caught driving while impaired you could face the suspension of your driver’s licence, vehicle impoundment, fines, and jail time. If you are under the age of 22, or a G1, G2, or commercial driver, and are caught with ANY alcohol or cannabis in your system, you could face an automatic three-day licence suspension.
If a screening determines your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs (or if you refuse a breath or bodily substance screening demand), you are subject to an immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment.
Convicted drivers will face suspensions, heavy fines, vehicle impoundments, mandatory alcohol education and treatment programs, the ignition interlock program and potential increase to their insurance premiums.
If you witness or suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911. The Highway Traffic Act allows drivers who are calling emergency services to use their cell phone while driving.
Let us all do our part to keep Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township safe. If you choose to drink or use drugs, DO NOT drive.
