2025 Festive R.I.D.E. Final Results

DRPS officially completed the 2025 Festive R.I.D.E program stopping more than 12,000 vehicles and charging 85 drivers with impaired driving offences. 
 
Officers conducted R.I.D.E checks across the Region of Durham, (the numbers in brackets reflect 2024 week six totals for comparison): 
 
12465    (16227)   Vehicles stopped by R.I.D.E.  
591        (1145)     People given Roadside Breath Tests 
53          (102)       People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”  
13            (16)       Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30  Licence Suspension
85           (105)      People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences
119         (154)      Impaired / Exceed/ Refuse Charges laid
62            (47)       Other Criminal Code Charges 
945         (1214)    Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
11            (17)       Drug Offences 
20            (15)       Provincial Cannabis Act Charges

While the 2025 Festive R.I.D.E. campaign has concluded, DRPS reminds residents that our officers are on duty 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, ensuring roadway safety and reducing impaired driving in Durham Region.  

From November 15, 2025, to January 1, 2026, the Festive R.I.D.E. team charged 85 drivers for operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. When measured against the total number of vehicles stopped, the impaired driving arrest rate was 0.69 per cent, a slight increase over the 2024 arrest rate of 0.65 per cent. When both criminal impaired driving charges and driver’s licence suspensions issued for WARN-range readings are combined, just over one per cent of drivers stopped received either a criminal charge or an administrative driver’s licence suspension.

“When you break it down, just over one of every 100 drivers we stopped was impaired or had consumed enough alcohol to face suspension,” said Ride Lead Sgt. Greg Carroll. “That may sound like a small number, but in a region of more than 780,000 residents—and with thousands more travelling through Durham every day—each impaired driver puts lives at risk. Impaired driving is dangerous, unacceptable, and entirely preventable. We can do better, Durham Region.”

A list of those charged can be found at www.drps.ca under R.I.D.E. Results.

We would like to thank the overwhelming majority of drivers who chose to drive sober and supported our efforts throughout the Festive R.I.D.E. program. Our officers are also deeply grateful for the calls and tips from the public about suspected impaired drivers. If you see something, say something. Reporting impaired driving will save lives.

A full list of individuals charged with Impaired/Exceed offences has been posted at www.drps.ca under R.I.D.E. Results
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Important Reminder

•    Effective January 1, 2026, a WARN (50–79 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) reading on an Approved Screening Device will result in: 
o    7 day suspension for a first offence
o    14 day suspension for a second offence
o    30 day suspension for a third offence
o    Mandatory remedial driver training and substance-use programs will also apply.

Note: Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, anyone charged with an impaired driving criminal offence will have their driver’s licence suspended for 90 days and their vehicle impounded automatically for seven days.

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