Durham Police Launch 2024 Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has initiated the 2024 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign. The launch took place at the DRPS Operations Training Centre in Whitby. This campaign will run for six weeks across the Durham Region, focusing on reducing impaired driving.

In the previous year's campaign, 12,682 vehicles were stopped, resulting in 87 charges related to impaired driving. This was an increase from 2023, where 9,907 vehicles were stopped and 77 drivers were charged.

Chief Peter Moreira emphasized the seriousness of impaired driving, noting a 30% increase in impaired collisions in 2024 compared to the previous year. As of November 2024, there have been 165 impaired collisions, surpassing the total of 128 for the entire year of 2023.

Sgt. Greg Carroll, leading the R.I.D.E. team, stated that the team will use a strategic, data-driven approach during the campaign. He urged the community to report suspected impaired drivers by noting vehicle details and contacting 9-1-1.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has also launched its annual "Project Red Ribbon" campaign to encourage sober driving during the holiday season and to remind the public to plan for a safe ride home if consuming alcohol or drugs.