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Picton RIDE out in force

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Drivers in Picton learned first hand Wednesday afternoon, they can expect to see the OPP Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) campaign in full force anywhere at anytime over the next several weeks.

On Wednesday, a team of Prince Edward OPP officers stopped dozens motorists on Lake Street looking for impaired drivers and those commiting other traffic offences.

The programs which launched province-wide on Monday will run in the County until January 2.

“We will be out anytime, anywhere, in the mornings, afternoons and evenings,” said Const. Anthony Mann during the afternoon session. “It’s the people’s responsibility to drive sober or have a plan in place if they are going to be drinking.”

Mann said provincial numbers are encouraging with impaired driving charges down 17 per cent across the province this year to date and says the trend is also evident locally.

“Up until the end of September there have been 5,685 impaired charges, down from 6,842 over the same period last year,” he said. “In 2013, we had 45 impaired charges in Prince Edward County and this year we are at 37. We would be very happy if that number didn’t change before the end of the year.”

While alcohol-related impaired charges have been reduced this year, Mann said there has been an increase in the number of drivers being charged with driving impaired by drugs other than alcohol.

Although the equipment that tests blood alcohol concentration through a breath sample will not detect these other drugs, officers can detect drug use and will charge offenders.

The detachment has received a provincial grant to help offset the cost of running the campaign in Prince Edward County and Mann said it will help local officers be more vigilante in nabbing people who get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

“It helps up call in officers who will be dedicated solely to conducting R.I.D.E. Checks,” he explained. “Whether it’s two officers or four officers, their sole responsibility will be to check vehicles for driver’s who have been drinking or committing other offences.”

Mann said people should make arrangements ahead of time to ensure they can return home safely after an evening out.

“It’s that time of year when there are more office parties and social gatherings,” he explained.. “People need to remember that taxis, public transportation and other agencies are also busy, so if they make arrangements for a safe ride ahead of time it’s going to be a lot easier to get home.”

 

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