Here's how many people were charged with impaired driving over the holidays in northeastern Ontario

The Ontario Provincial Police recently wrapped up their  2024-25 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign in an effort to keep impaired drivers off Ontario roads.

Between Nov. 21, 2024, and Jan. 1, 2025, OPP officers across the province laid 743 impaired driving charges and issued 155 roadside warn-range suspensions. In northeast Ontario, officers made 1,525 RIDE checks, resulting in 139 impaired driving charges and 26 warn-range suspensions.

Last year, officers in the northeast laid 162 impaired charges and 26 warn-range suspensions following 1,699 RIDE check events. That's about 20 more charges and 174 more stops than the 2024/25 season.

Acting Sergeant Michelle Simard said the OPP continues to focus on both enforcement and education.

"Officers work tirelessly at preventing impaired driving on our roadways," Simard said, adding that public awareness campaigns may have contributed to a decrease in charges in some areas.

"The OPP is doing a great job at being out there and educating the public on impaired driving," she said. "I think people are maybe taking responsibility and realizing that there are other ways to get home than to get behind a wheel after you have consumed, whether it's alcohol or drugs."

The campaign also addresses the broader scope of impaired driving, which includes operating vehicles under the influence of cannabis, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication and illegal substances.

"We've also included being impaired by drugs now," Simard said. "I think it's a matter of people being educated on what that is exactly, which is what we're doing."

Although the number of RIDE events in the North East Region dropped compared to last year, Simard said enforcement efforts remain robust.

"Just because the number of RIDE check has gone down in certain areas doesn't mean that we weren't out enforcing drinking and driving or impaired driving laws," she said.

The OPP thanked residents for helping reduce impaired driving incidents, whether by serving as designated drivers or making alternative travel arrangements.

The OPP also encourages the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.

"Any amount of alcohol in your system is not safe to get behind a wheel," Simard said.

The Festive RIDE campaign is an annual initiative led by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. While it highlights progress, the campaign also underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and responsibility to ensure safer roads across the province.