The holiday season brings a few festivities, some more festive than others. In that mix is the Waterloo Regional Police festive RIDE program, set to launch November 28.
Along with roadside stops, police are asking for members of the public to take precautions, such as arranging for transportation ahead of time if they plan to be drinking.
During the 2013 festive RIDE program, officers checked 10,308 vehicles; conducted 37 roadside tests; laid four impaired charges; and issued seven three-day suspensions. Police also laid 15 additional charges under the Highway Traffic Act.
Under laws currently in effect:
Drivers with suspended licences under the HTA are subject to a seven-day vehicle impoundment and further charges;
Drivers charged with having over-80 mg blood-alcohol content or who refuse a test will face criminal charges, a 90-day suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment;
Drivers previously convicted of a criminal code driving offence will have their vehicle impounded for a minimum of 45 days;
Fully-licenced drivers under 22 years of age, as well as novice drivers of all ages in the graduated licensing system, must be alcohol-free or risk receiving an immediate 24-hour roadside suspension.
Again this year, police enforcement will be occurring as part of stationary RIDE inspection points as well as during random mobile checks.
