THUNDER BAY – Thirty drivers were busted for impaired driving during the final six weeks of 2017, with 19 of those nabbed at Festive RIDE checkpoints.
The Thunder Bay Police Service wrapped up their holiday impaired driving crackdown on New Year’s Day and released the results on Tuesday.
Of the 19 stopped at Festive RIDE checkpoints, 15 were under the influence of alcohol while two were determined to be impaired by drugs and another two refused to provide breaths samples. Heading into the final week of the year, police had caught and charged 11 drivers through the RIDE checkpoints.
“It’s showing with the resources we have we’re being successful getting the drivers off the road but the reality is we’re missing a lot of other impaired drivers that are out there,” acting traffic Sgt. Bill Pollock said.
“It’s sad to know that there’s still that many people driving around impaired and the harm they can cause to themselves and others if they do get into a collision.”
In addition to the 30 drivers charged, officers also issued three-day warn range suspensions to 17 others who had a blood alcohol content between 0.05 and 0.08.
“You are impaired at that rate,” Pollock said, noting some European countries have set the threshold to be charged at 0.05. “It’s just not a criminal offence right now in our country.”
The 19 drivers charged through the RIDE program was the highest in the past five years, surpassing the 18 apprehended in 2014.
Pollock said the city is lucky to have not had a fatal or serious collision during the holiday season caused by alcohol but said the consequences of drinking and driving are “life changing” even if there isn’t a crash.
“Even for the individual who isn’t involved in a crash and has been arrested through this festive season through RIDE, the cost to them financially and to their families in regards to driving suspensions and time tied up in court with criminal charges is going to be very expensive,” Pollock said.
City police charged 175 people with impaired driving throughout 2017, a number that Pollock estimated is 10 to 15 per cent higher than the previous year.
“When you are driving impaired, it is quite noticeable. Officers are aware of what it looks like to spot an impaired driver,” Pollock said.
“If you happen to have one of our officers behind you at any given time and you have been drinking and driving, you should expect to get pulled over and you’re going to be charged with the offence.”
