Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has completed the fourth week of its 2025 Festive RIDE campaign, resulting in 13 impaired driving charges after officers stopped nearly 3,000 vehicles across the region.
Despite challenging winter weather and cold temperatures, officers continued roadside checks throughout Durham, supported by representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), who assisted in educating motorists on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
Week 4 enforcement results (2024 comparison in brackets):
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Vehicles stopped: 2,926 (3,757)
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Roadside breath tests administered: 147 (244)
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Drivers issued 3-day licence suspensions (warn range): 12 (23)
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Novice drivers suspended (3, 7, or 30 days): 0 (5)
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Impaired driving charges laid: 13 (16)
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Arrests for non-impaired driving offences: 0 (3)
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Other Criminal Code charges: 8 (5)
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Highway Traffic Act charges: 123 (237)
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Drug-related offences: 3 (2)
Of the 13 impaired drivers charged, one was a G2 driver who refused to identify themselves, refused to provide a breath sample using an approved screening device, and declined to exit their vehicle. The individual was arrested and charged with refusing a lawful demand and obstructing a police officer.
Under Canada’s Criminal Code, police may issue an Approved Screening Device (ASD) demand when they have reasonable grounds to suspect a driver has consumed alcohol within the previous three hours. Refusing to comply with such a demand is a criminal offence.
Police continue to urge the public to report suspected impaired drivers, emphasizing that impaired driving is an emergency. Anyone who believes a driver may be impaired is encouraged to call 9-1-1.
Additional details and names of those charged are available at drps.ca
Photo Credit : Durham Post
