Ottawa police stop 1,500 drivers in first weekend of Festive RIDE campaign

A person in a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) vest at a police RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check. (CTV News/File)

The Ottawa Police Service says officers stopped 1,500 drivers in the first weekend of its annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.

Police set up RIDE checks in Vanier, Beacon Hill, and Alta Vista on Thursday; Kanata, Stittsville, and Nepean on Friday; and Old Ottawa South, Westboro, Hintonburg, and Carleton Heights on Saturday.

According to police, the RIDE checks resulted in 1,500 interactions with drivers over three days. Six drivers received three-day licence suspensions for blowing within the warning level on an alcohol screening device, and one driver was charged with impaired driving.

Citywide, police say 17 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences between Thursday and Saturday.

This year, Ottawa police are sharing in advance the parts of the city where RIDE checks will be set up, though they’re not specifying which streets.

Ottawa police say more than 700 drivers have been charged with impaired driving so far this year. Police also reported 166 collisions, including five fatal or life-threatening crashes where alcohol or drugs were a factor this year.

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