An annual campaign to curb impaired driving saw fewer drivers charged this year, though the number of vehicles checked was also down.
The Festive RIDE campaign ran from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1. In the North East Region, OPP officers checked 1,525 vehicles in 12 detachment areas.
In total, 139 impaired driving charges were laid and 26 warn-range suspensions were issued.
For last year's campaign, 1,699 vehicles were checked, which led to 162 impaired charges and 26 warn-range suspensions.
"The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it," reads the news release.
The data by detachment for the 2024-25 campaign is:
- East Algoma (Blind River)
- 221 RIDE events
- 0 warn range suspensions
- 6 impaired driving charges
- Almaguin Highlands
- 138 RIDE events
- 2 warn range suspensions
- 13 impaired driving charges
- Temiskaming
- 129 RIDE events
- 5 warn range suspensions
- 15 impaired driving charges
- Kirkland Lake
- 54 RIDE events
- 0 warn range suspensions
- 4 impaired driving charges
- Manitoulin (Manitowaning)
- 165 RIDE events
- 1 warn range suspensions
- 26 impaired driving charges
- North Bay
- 124 RIDE events
- 3 warn range suspensions
- 6 impaired driving charges
- West Parry Sound
- 52 RIDE events
- 1 warn range suspensions
- 14 impaired driving charges
- Sault Ste. Marie
- 119 RIDE events
- 9 warn range suspensions
- 6 impaired driving charges
- South Porcupine
- 102 RIDE events
- 0 warn range suspensions
- 9 impaired driving charges
- Sudbury
- 98 RIDE events
- 3 warn range suspensions
- 17 impaired driving charges
- Superior East (Wawa)
- 132 RIDE events
- 0 warn range suspensions
- 5 impaired driving charges
- James Bay
- 191 RIDE events
- 2 warn range suspensions
- 18 impaired driving charges