Ontario Provincial Police have released a point-of-view video featuring a summer student to show drivers what happens at a RIDE checkpoint, hoping to reduce public anxiety about the stops. North Bay OPP’s Youth in Policing Initiative participant Morgan took part in the demonstration, which provincial police posted on social media. The video includes both a routine stop and a simulated mandatory alcohol screening. Officer walks through routine stop At the checkpoint, a RIDE officer greets Morgan and asks whether he has consumed any alcohol or cannabis that day. Morgan replies no to both questions. When asked where he is heading, he says, “Just up the road here,” and the officer sends him on his way with a reminder to drive safe. Const. Kyler Brouwer narrated the video explaining that the initial interaction was a standard stop with no issues. Mandatory screening process shown Brouwer then introduces a second scenario to demonstrate what occurs when an officer requires a breath sample under mandatory alcohol screening rules. This time the officer approaches Morgan and informs him that every driver is being tested and demands a breath sample into an approved screening device and asks Morgan to accompany him for that purpose. Morgan confirms with police that he has never taken such a test before. The officer then instructs him to remove a fresh straw from its packaging, seal it with his lips and blow a smooth, steady breath into the breathalyzer until told to stop. After Morgan provides the sample, the officer announces a zero reading and thanks him for driving sober. Student urges public not to worry Following the exercise, Morgan described the process as straightforward. “Nothing to worry about,” said Morgan in the video. “As long as you’re sober, you should be good to go.” Brouwer closes the video by reinforcing that RIDE programs exist to detect impaired driving and keep communities safe; advising drivers to be prepared to slow down and stop when approaching a checkpoint and always drive sober.
