City police are taking cues from social media when planning their holiday RIDE programs this season.
"We know people are advising their friends ahead of time before they leave a drinking establishment that police are out doing a RIDE program," said traffic Sgt. Glenn Porter of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
"We're going to be taking efforts to be a little more clever in our approach."
The Thunder Bay Police, along with the OPP and Anishinabek Police Service, launched its Festive RIDE program Friday afternoon on Arthur Street near Franklin Street.
Porter said people can still expect to see the bright lights of RIDE checks in the distance, but they'll also be setting up in less visible places.
"We'll be going into neighbourhoods. Don't be surprised if you live in Parkdale and you see us on one of the quieter streets," he said.
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Drivers can also expect police looking for impaired drivers in rural areas and at all times of the day.
OPP traffic Sgt. David Bel said they want everyone to arrive at home safe and sound over the holiday season and as police officers, they see the consequences of of impaired driving all too often.
"Last year OPP in Northwestern Ontario went to 60 collisions that were alcohol-involved," he said.
Each one of those deaths could have been prevented, said Bel.
"We wish you to have a safe and festive Christmas but we want everybody to drive sober," said Bel.
For anyone planning to celebrate the holidays with a few drinks, Bel said make sure to have a designated driver, call a taxi or use Operation Red Nose.
