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Despite lockdown closures, RIDE impaired charges increase in York Region

York Regional Police wrapped up the festive season campaign with 142 charges laid, compared to 136 last year
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NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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In keeping with our commitment to road safety in our community, York Regional Police arrested and charged 142 drivers with impaired-related offences during the Festive Season Enhanced RIDE campaign time period.

Despite bar and restaurant closures in York Region due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the arrests represent a slight increase over last year, which were 136 arrests during the same time period.

York Regional Police launched the annual RIDE campaign on Nov. 27, 2020 and it ran until Jan. 3, 2021. During the campaign, officers conducting RIDE spot checks stopped more than 6,000 vehicles. We thank those drivers who continue to keep our roads safe by driving only when sober.

We continue to encourage our citizens to partner with us in stopping impaired driving and we thank all citizens who called 911 to report a suspected impaired driver through the Safe Roads Your Call program. More than 490 calls were received during the RIDE campaign, bringing the total of Safe Roads calls to more than 4,800 in 2020.

We consider these incidents a life-threatening crime in progress and will continue to respond to these calls.

If you see dangerous driving or behaviours on the road that could jeopardize the safety of motorists and pedestrians, you are encouraged to contact police immediately.

We’re not giving up.

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