Toronto police once again laid more impaired driving charges during its Festive RIDE program confirming the need for officers to be vigilant on the roads.
The number of drinking and driving charges was up seven people from last year but more motorists were stopped and tested during the holiday season.
"The numbers aren't dropping," said Const. Julie Mahoney of TPS Traffic Services. "It's kind of discouraging considering all the education work done by police and community groups."
But Mahoney said the Festive RIDE ensures drivers who have been drinking are taken off the road and officers are out doing RIDE spot checks all year long.
During the Festive RIDE program, 1,510 Toronto officers conducted 248 spot checks and dedicated 4,574.5 hours to keeping drinking drivers off our roadways.
FESTIVE R.I.D.E. 2004 TOTALS
Year 2003 and 2004
SPOT CHECK SUMMARY
VEHICLES STOPPED
Year 2003: 123,858
Year 2004: 130,188
DRIVERS TESTED
Year 2003: 2,130
Year 2004: 2,299
CHARGED OVER 80 (includes all Over 80 charges)
Year 2003: 56
Year 2004: 58
CHARGED REFUSE (includes all Fail / Refuse charges)
Year 2003: 12
Year 2004: 9
CHARGED IMPAIRED
Year 2003: 4
Year 2004: 12
ISSUED 12 HOUR SUSPENSION
Year 2003: 254
Year 2004: 301
ISSUED 90 DAY SUSPENSION
Year 2003: 68
Year 2004: 67
TOTAL SUSPENSIONS ISSUED
Year 2003: 322
Year 2004: 268
VEHICLES IMPOUNDED
Year 2003: 172
Year 2004: 180
PROVINCIAL OFFENCE CHARGES
Year 2003: 656
Year 2004: 517
DRIVE WHILE SUSPENDED/ PROHIBITED
Year 2003: 24
Year 2004: 25
OTHER CRIMINAL CODE ARRESTS
Year 2003: 14
Year 2004: 14
TOTAL DRINKING & DRIVING CHARGES LAID
Year 2003: 72
Year 2004: 79 |
