The Upper Ottawa Valley OPP will be taking part in the Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign from November 18th to January 2nd, 2022.
Motorists across the province and throughout the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP Detachment area can expect to encounter RIDE programs at any time of the day or night.
Drivers should know that officers can ask them to submit to a Standardized Field Sobriety Test and a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation.
Trained officers have the expertise to detect impairment by alcohol, drugs or even both in a driver.
Detachment Commander Stephan Neufeld says impaired driving continues to be one of the leading causes of injury or death in motor vehicle collisions.
Neufeld says every one of these collisions is completely preventable and adds to choose responsibly when getting behind the wheel this Holiday Season.
In addition to existing legislation that allows an officer to make a demand for a roadside breath sample when they have reasonable suspicion, the Mandatory Alcohol Screening law gives officers who have an Approved Screening Device the authority to make a demand for a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver to determine whether a person has alcohol in their body, without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking.
It is mandatory for drivers to comply with this demand or they can be charged with failing or refusing to provide a breath sample.
If you are planning on drinking or using drugs, don’t drive.
