Ontario Boosts RIDE Program
June 16, 2008 2:36 PM
McGuinty Government Doubles Funding To Fight Impaired Driving
The province has doubled funding to police services to $2.4 million for this year's Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program.
The funding will help police services conduct RIDE spot checks in 170 communities across the province. Last year, police conducted over 500,000 RIDE spot checks, which resulted in 466 people charged.
QUICK FACTS
- Since 1988, the Ontario government has been providing annual grants to help the RIDE program across Ontario.
- Over the past 10 years, traffic fatalities in Ontario have dropped by 18 per cent. The number of serious injuries in drinking and driving collisions decreased 51 per cent - from 990 in 1996 to 484 in 2005.
- Since 2004, the McGuinty government has implemented a number of tough measures, including some of the highest fines and strictest penalties in North America for impaired driving.
ontario.ca/safety
"Drinking and driving is a leading cause of criminal traffic deaths. We're doubling the funding this year to enable our police services to continue to get more drunk drivers off the roads and make our communities safer."
– Rick Bartolucci
Minister o fCommunity Safety and Correctional Services
"Drinking and driving is not tolerated in Ontario - drivers who do not get that message face some of the toughest penalties in North America. By taking drunk drivers off our roads, RIDE is saving lives."
– Jim Bradley
Minister of Transportation
"We are pleased that the Government of Ontario is responding to our request for more funding to continue this valuable program. Since 1988, RIDE has helped police across Ontario identify and deter impaired drivers, who put all our lives at risk."
– William Blair
President Chief, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
Communities
