Festive R.I.D.E. Results Week One November 15 - November 22, 2025

DRPS completed its first week of the 2025 Festive R.I.D.E program, stopping more than 2,800 vehicles and charging 13 drivers with impaired driving offences.

Officers conducted R.I.D.E checks throughout the Region of Durham with the following totals (the numbers in brackets reflect 2024 first week totals for comparison):

2812    (2606)   Vehicles stopped by R.I.D.E.

86         (60)        People given Roadside Breath Tests
11          (10)      People received “3 Day Suspensions” for registering a “WARN”
1            (1)         Novice Driver received a 3, 7 or 30  Licence Suspension
13          (16)      People were charged with Impaired Driving Offences

18          (22)      Impaired/ refuse / exceed charges laid

10         (3)         People Arrested for Non impaired Related offences

19         (3)         Other Criminal Code Charges laid

264      (184)    Charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences
4            (6)        Drug Offences

The first week of the 2025 Festive R.I.D.E. program saw the DRPS Ride Team working alongside our community partners from The Durham Region Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD had several survivors and other volunteers personally impacted by impaired driving out to thank the majority of drivers for driving sober and remind everyone that the impact of their choices can be long lasting.

While there was a slight decline in the number of individuals arrested for impaired driving offences this year (13) over last (16), there are still far too many people making the selfish choice to drive impaired. The number of drivers receiving 3/7/30 day license suspensions for registering a WARN on an approved screening device, was nearly the same as last year.

Despite alcohol impaired related offences being down, our members saw an increase in stunt driving. While alcohol impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle, so does excessive speed which also puts the public at risk. Six drivers were charged with stunt driving and received 30-day licence suspensions and had their cars impounded for 14 days, including two motorists who were traveling at 165km/h on Highway 401 and 163km/h in an 80km/h zone on Winchester Road in Whitby.

We need to do better…please slow down, and if you are going to consume alcohol or other intoxicating substances, plan ahead, use alternate forms of transportation and arrive alive.

A complete list of those charged with Impaired/Exceed is posted on our website under RIDE Results.

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

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