Too many people are still drinking and driving, said OPP Traffic Staff Sgt. Ken Mantey.
“We definitely saw in increase in impaired charges,” he said Tuesday.
During 2011’s Festive RIDE program, the OPP charged 47 people with impaired driving in the Northwest Region and issued 10 warn-range suspensions.
In 2010, they charged 20 people with impaired driving and issued 13 Warn Range suspensions.
“I think for the most part, the general population gets that it is illegal and you shouldn’t drink and drive,” Mantey said, noting there are, however, people that still aren’t getting the message.
“I don’t know how you couldn’t,” he said. “There’s no excuse.”
There were also 11 alcohol-related collisions on Northwest highways, but no fatalities.
Another 14 people were charged with impaired driving during the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Holiday RIDE program this December.
Around 5,500 vehicles were stopped over the month-long program and almost 200 charges were laid.
There were 14 people charged with impaired driving offences and 20 people received three-day license suspensions.
Another 12 suspended drivers were charged and 160 provincial offences tickets were issued.
