NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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Together with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and police services across Ontario, the South Simcoe Police Service will participate in the Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign by conducting RIDE initiatives to help keep roads free of alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers.
The Festive RIDE campaign is an annual provincial police enforcement and education initiative focused on taking alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers off our roads. The campaign runs during the holiday season from Nov. 15, 2024, through to Jan. 1, 2025.
“As we celebrate this festive season, it’s important to remember that driving impaired puts everyone at risk. Driving while impaired by alcohol, other drugs or both remains a leading contributor to motor vehicle deaths and injuries in Canada. Impaired driving plays a role in over 50 per cent of our fatalities locally, higher than the provincial average. RIDE programs by South Simcoe Police Service are part of our year-round traffic safety initiatives focused on removing impaired drivers from our roads. Public safety, especially on our roads, remains our top priority,” says South Simcoe police Staff Sgt. Dave Phillips.
“The best way to avoid impaired driving is to not take a chance. Plan another way home, have a designated driver, use public transit, call a friend or family member for a ride, call a taxi or ride share, or stay overnight. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe and make this holiday season enjoyable for everyone,” he said.
Road safety depends on the decisions you make. Your life can change in an instant. Don’t drink and drive or drive high. Do your part by always driving sober. If you spot a suspected impaired driver, call 911. By working together, we can eliminate impaired driving and keep our roads and communities safe for everyone.
Know what counts as impaired driving, and the penalties you could face for it — before you get behind the wheel, visit Ontario.ca | Impaired driving.
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