The Thunder Bay Police Service’s annual Festive RIDE program recorded a significant decrease in charges laid compared to years prior, however, it did little to stop the city from setting a record for the number of impaired driving incidents reported in a single year.
Results of the 2020 Festive RIDE program, along with statistics regarding impaired driving incidents for the year, were shared with the public Friday afternoon by the TBPS’s Traffic Unit during a special virtual news conference.
In total, police laid 12 charges relating to incidents of impaired driving during 2020 Festive RIDE checks. This is down from the 27 total charges reported during 2019 Festive RIDE checks. Despite this drop, the total number of charges related to impaired driving incidents in 2020 totalled 299, well above the 204 charges reported the year before.
The increase is the result of a rise in incidents involving motorists impaired by drug – 144 incidents in 2020 compared to 47 in 2019. Meanwhile, incidents of motorists impaired by alcohol remained almost the same – 153 incidents in 2020 compared to 157 in 2019.
Of the 144 incidents involving motorists impaired by drug, 31 were linked to Cannabis use and 73 were linked to the use of a Central Nervous System Stimulant.
Individuals charged for impaired driving also face a Ministry of Transportation 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension.
Impaired driving represents a significant community safety concern, therefore the Thunder Bay Police Service will continue to educate the public about these ongoing risks and front-line officers will continue to enforce impaired driving laws.
The public is encouraged to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service through the non-emergency line at 684-1200, or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (www.p3tips.com), if they know of suspended drivers who continue to drive in contravention of a suspension.
If you see an incident of suspected impaired driving in progress please call 911.
Impaired Driving Charges in 2020 and 2019:
|
|
2020 |
2019 |
|
Impaired by Alcohol |
153 (47%) |
157 (77%) |
|
Impaired by Drug |
144 (48%) |
47 (23 %) |
|
Impaired Total |
299 |
204 |
Festive RIDE Statistics for 2020 and 2019:
|
|
2020 |
2019 |
|
Vehicles checked |
2,195 |
1,790 |
|
Approved Screening Device Tests |
139 |
93 |
|
Warn Range Suspensions |
14 |
13 |
|
Impaired Driving charges |
12 |
27 |
|
-Alcohol Impaired |
8 |
24 |
|
-Drug Impaired |
4 |
3 |
|
-Total |
12 |
27 |