Hundreds of impaired driving charges were laid over the holiday season in Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police say their annual Festive RIDE campaign - which ran from November 18th to January 2nd - say 8370 RIDE events conducted across the province while officers responded to 3147 calls about suspected impaired drivers, leading to 655 drivers being charged with impaired driving and a further 236 suspensions issued to drivers whose roadside breath test registered in the "warn range", a Blood Alcohol Concentration between 0.05 and 0.08.
North East Region OPP say they conducted 1450 Festive RIDE checks, with 67 charges laid for impaired driving, blood alcohol level over 80, or refusal to give breath sample, while 13 "warn range" suspensions were issued.
The local Superior East detachment says they conducted 146 RIDE programs, charging four drivers with impaired operation and issuing one "warn" range suspension.
Superior East OPP thank those who acted as designated drivers or took other measures to ensure family and friends didn't get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, reminding anyone who suspects an impaired driver should call 9-1-1 as it could save a life.