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Festive RIDE again, because impaired driving message just doesn’t get through

Police right across our region enforce impaired driving laws year-round, with a special emphasis on the holiday season.

OPP, city police, Northern College police foundations students and MADD launched this year’s Festive RIDE program in Timmins on Tuesday.

Timmins Police Sgt. Tom Chypyha says figures prove that impaired driving – by alcohol or drugs – does not just happen at night.

“Now you expect to see them in the middle of the day, early morning hours,” he notes. “We’re finding that our impaired stats – particularly those with drugs – are occurring all hours of the day.

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Timmins Police have laid 56 impaired driving-related charges so far this year.

For decades, police and allied organizations have been preaching about the dangers of driving while impaired.  Yet events like Festive RIDE are still needed to drive the message home.

Sgt. Chypyha says people are still not getting the message.

“Police services throughout not only Ontario but Canada are finding that the number of impaired drivers, particularly those with drugs, has increased.”

Chypyha says that’s especially true in younger demographics.

The stepped-up enforcement during Festive RIDE is until January 2nd. Expect to see more roadside stops any time, day or night.

Santa Claus popped in from the North Pole for the Festive RIDE launch. Northern College police foundations student James Wynne of Kapuskasing gets an “A” for masterfully handling the logistics of the jolly old elf’s visit.
(Bob McIntyre, MyTimminsNow.com staff)
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