The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, Military Police and members of the Petawawa Police Service Board recently hosted a Mega RIDE program.
Maria Morena-Church, a member of the Petawawa Police Service Board, says they are sending a message to never drive under the influence.
Morena-Church says if you’re going to a Christmas party make sure you have a sober driver, get a cab, walk or stay where you are.
Chair of the Petawawa Police Services Board and Councillor James Carmody adds Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere signs have been installed in a couple of locations around town including along Petawawa Boulevard and the Algonquin Trail.
The mega Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Campaign resulted in one arrest on December 2nd. A 30-year-old from Petawawa was charged for driving while impaired by alcohol. In the summer when a similar Mega RIDE program was held over 600 vehicles were checked with no impaired drivers caught.
On the evening of December 5th, the OPP stopped a 40-year-old from Pembroke who was also charged for driving under the influence of alcohol. Both accused had their drivers license suspended for three months (90-days) and their vehicles were impounded for seven days.
FESTIVE RIDE RESULTS ACROSS THE UPPER OTTAWA VALLEY DETACHMENT
During the first week of the OPP Festive RIDE campaign, from November 17th to Novembe 23rd, local police officers conducted 24 RIDE checks and arrested five people. Among those charged were a 46-year-old from Laurentian Valley, a 42-year-old from Chapeau, a 48-year-old from Pembroke, a 31-year-old from Pembroke and a 66-year-old from Head, Clara and Maria Township.
During the second week of the OPP Festival RIDE campaign, from November 24 to November 30, officers from the Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment conducted 31 RIDE checks and found no impaired drivers.
Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Steph Neufeld says RIDE checks will continue throughout the holiday season. Neufeld says there have never been more options available to get home safely adding impaired driving is always the wrong choice.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)