Snowmobilers, ATV riders focus of RIDE blitz in East Gwillimbury, Keswick

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
The York Regional Police Marine Unit and the Road Safety Bureau Regional Enforcement of Priorities (REP) Team have laid a number of charges during enhanced weekend enforcement efforts.

Between Feb. 25 and 27, 2021, officers with the Marine Unit partnered with officers from the new Road Safety Bureau REP team to conduct RIDE spot checks in East Gwillimbury and Keswick, focusing on snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility vehicle(UTV) riders.

More than 70 vehicles were stopped during the initiative. Four people were arrested, including one impaired driver, two prohibited drivers and one person for public intoxication. Three drivers were given three-day licence suspensions for having alcohol in their system in the warn range, three charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act, two charges where laid under the Cannabis Control Act and 13 charges were laid under the Highway Traffic Act.

Citizens are reminded that our Marine Unit and our Road Safety Bureau will continue to keep our roads, lakes and trails safe. If you drink or use drugs, do not operate a vehicle of any kind, including ATVs, boats, snowmobiles or any other vehicle. Impaired driving laws apply to our trails, lakes and all other areas the same as it does on the road. Citizens are encouraged to report dangerous driving or suspected impaired drivers on any form of vehicle, by calling 9-1-1.

The new REP team launched at the beginning of January 2021, under the enforcement umbrella of the Road Safety Bureau. The team was formed to focus attention on criminal offences related to the top road safety priorities in our communities, such as impaired drivers, dangerous drivers and high-risk driving behaviours.

*************************