Don't Drive Impaired: Annual Festive RIDE Launch

Despite our best efforts through education, awareness and enforcement, we know that people are still driving impaired. 

In 2020, we arrested and charged 203 impaired drivers; 66 of those drivers were impaired by drug.

Thus far in 2021, Officers have already arrested and charged 304 impaired drivers where 145 drivers were impaired by drug. This is an overwhelming and unacceptable increase.

Impaired is impaired, whether it be by alcohol, illicit drugs or prescribed medication. You should never get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you are impaired.

Choosing to drive impaired is a criminal choice, one with significant financial consequences and unfortunately in many cases life altering and tragic outcomes.

Road Safety remains a top priority in Greater Sudbury, not only for GSPS, but for our community as a whole.

Today we held our annual Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) Launch.

Every Festive RIDE Season is a collaborative effort and we sincerely thank our community partners; the City of Greater Sudbury, the Ontario Provincial Police, Action Sudbury, Safe Ride Home Sudbury, MADD Canada, Canadian Blood Services, Public Health Sudbury & Districts and of course our GSPS Traffic Management Unit.

This Festive Season, GSPS and OPP Officers will be out conducting an increased number of RIDE checks throughout the city. You should expect us out anywhere at any time!

• Please plan ahead, have a designated driver, stay the night, call a taxi or use public transit because your choice to drive impaired doesn’t affect just you, it affects our entire community.  
• We continue to urge community members to call 9-1-1 when you see an impaired driver and to provide as much information as possible regarding the make, model and licence plate of the vehicle, as well as the direction of travel.

Road safety is a shared commitment and we would like to thank those who continue to make the right choice to drive sober.