The holiday season is upon us, and the Manitoulin OPP will be out conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) checks now through to January 2, 2019.
Heading into the first Festive RIDE campaign since the legalization of non-medical cannabis, the OPP is reminding drivers that they are as prepared to deal with drug-impaired drivers over the holidays as those who are alcohol-impaired.
The OPP’s Standardized Field Sobriety Test-trained officers and Drug Recognition Experts have been in place for years and continue to prove effective in identifying drug-impaired drivers.
And, if you suspect that a person is driving or about to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1 to report them to police.
Novice, young (under 22) and commercial vehicle drivers cannot have any alcohol or drugs in their system while driving.
When transporting cannabis in a vehicle, it must be in its original package that has not been opened, or it can be packaged in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle.
From January 1 to mid-October 2018, the OPP laid more than 6,700 impaired driving charges across the province, 283 of which were impaired by drugs.
Police remind the motoring public to be mindful when approaching a R.I.D.E. location. Officer safety is paramount as they are standing in live lanes of traffic. When you see the flashing lights, slow down, proceed with caution, and allow the officers a safe distance from your vehicle.