2 Impaired Driving Charges in Recent Festive RIDE Programs

Two impaired driving charges were laid after more than 1,700 vehicles were checked during recently-completed Festive RIDE programs.

Each year over the holiday season, police services conduct additional Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) spot checks to ensure motorists’ sobriety. Between the launch in mid-November and New Year’s Eve, Guelph Police Service officers spoke to 1,726 drivers at a variety of locations.

Two impaired driving charges were laid, and six motorists had their licenses suspended for three days after registering a ‘warning’ on the roadside device, indicating a blood alcohol concentration of between 50 and 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

For comparison, during the 2023-24 Festive RIDE program, officers checked 100 fewer vehicles but also laid two impaired driving charges and issued six three-day suspensions.

While the Festive RIDE program has been completed, road safety remains a key priority of the Guelph Police Service and our officers will continue be on the lookout for impaired drivers throughout 2025.

We encourage the public to always consume alcohol and cannabis responsibly. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911.