After another tragic year on Ontario roads where 45 people were killed in impaired driving incidents, the Ontario Provincial Police says it's counting on drivers and citizens to help prevent further loss of life, especially during the holiday season.
During its Festive RIDE campaign, the OPP will actively be checking drivers stopped during RIDE checks or other traffic stops.
But they still need help to ensure impaired drivers are taken off the roads and are reminding citizens that they are among its most valued safety partners, especially leading up to and during the holidays.
The holiday season appeal from OPP matches Campaign 911, a Canada-wide campaign launched by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada to encourage and empower the Canadian public to report suspected impaired driving by calling 911.
With more than 16,000 calls to the OPP to report suspected impaired drivers this year, the OPP is praising these proactive citizens and encouraging people to continue making these important calls. By doing so, lives may be saved.
The OPP is also counting on citizens to help ensure that no one in their presence gets behind the wheel if they have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.
The more people who do so, the fewer impaired drivers they will be sharing the road with.
The OPP thanks all drivers and citizens who do their part to help keep impaired drivers off our roads.
MADD Canada provides the following tips on what to do if you suspect a driver is impaired.
10 Possible Signs of an Impaired Driver
- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
- Making exceptionally wide turns
- Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
- Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
- Disregarding signals and lights
- Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
- Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
- Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
What To Do If You Observe a Potential Impaired Driver
- Call 911 (If you are driving, pull over first if you can safely do so)
- State your location
- Vehicle description
- Licence plate number of vehicle
- Colour of vehicle
- Make and model of vehicle
- Direction of travel for the vehicle
- Description of driver
Safety Reminders
- Please observe all safety rules.
- Keep your distance from the impaired driver.
- Wear your seatbelt.
- Use extreme caution when using a cellular phone to call 911.
- Police officers are trained specialists, let them do their job.
- Never try to apprehend the impaired driver yourself.
