NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE
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The holiday season is a time for enjoying time with friends, family and loved ones. With the launch of the Festive RIDE Campaign, we want to remind everyone to celebrate responsibly.
During the 2018 campaign 1,875 vehicles were checked. Those checks resulted in the following;
- Seven three day license suspensions
- Two criminal charges for blood alcohol concentration .80 plus
- 20 Highway Traffic Act charges
- Two Cannabis Act charges
RIDE or Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere initiatives take place year round; however the holiday seasons is a busy time on the roads in our community. We will be conducting collaborative roadside checks throughout the holiday season with our partners; the Anishinabek Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
We urge everyone in our community to plan ahead when attending holiday functions. Call a friend, family member, taxi or ride sharing company to get home. Do not drink or use drugs and drive.
For others on area roads, if you witness or suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911. The Highway Traffic Act allows drivers who are calling Police, Fire or Ambulance to use their cell phone while driving.
Everyone plays a role in keeping our community safe; if you decide to drink or use drugs, don’t drive.
If you’re caught driving while impaired you could face the suspension of your license, vehicle impoundment, fines and jail time. For drivers under the age of 22, as well as G1, G2 and commercial drivers, if you are caught with any alcohol or cannabis in your system you could face an automatic three day license suspension.
Once charged with excess blood alcohol or refusing a breath test, a motorist is subject to an immediate 90-day driver’s license suspension and seven day vehicle impoundment.
If you are convicted, drivers will face suspensions, heavy fines, vehicle impoundments, mandatory alcohol education and treatment programs, and the ignition interlock program.
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