Drunken driving still the leading cause of criminal death in Canada

By Terrance Gavan

Occasionally, some sobering information crosses the news desk here at The Highlander.

The latest RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) release from the OPP says that vehicular homicide is “still the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.”

OPP RIDE checkstop. From CTV.ca file photos.

That’s a pretty staggering stat. Ontario Festive RIDE passed the first hurdle on Christmas weekend, but New Years is on the way and the cops warn that spot checks are continuing.

“The 2011 Festive RIDE Campaign has been operational since Friday, Nov 25 and will conclude at midnight on New Year’s Day,” states an OPP release from Cst. Peter Leon. “Officers from detachments across the Central Region of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are continuing to work diligently and are out in full force in an effort to remove the threat of impaired drivers from our roads.”

Police say that some drivers in the central jurisdiction still have not received the message.

Thus far into this year’s Festive RIDE Campaign in the Central Region, there have been 116 impaired driving related charges laid and 89 persons who have received a minimum 72-hour driver’s licence suspension for being found driving with a blood alcohol level between .50mgs and .80mgs.

“The message that the OPP are conveying is and has always been very simple,” states Leon. “If you drink, then don’t drive. There is absolutely no need in today’s society to not make these 6 words part of your plans. As a driver, it is your responsibility to not put others in harms way. Together, we can see that everyone arrives safely at their intended destination.

“The next time you pass through a RIDE spot-check, remember that the police officers you encounter are doing a very important part of their job.”

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