Local police services will receive a total of $117,933 in provincial funding over the next two years through the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) grant program.
The RIDE grant program will receive $4.8 million over the next two years across Ontario to help police services keep impaired drivers off streets and highways. Across Ontario, 171 police services will receive funding to carry out important year-round road safety initiatives such as education campaigns and roadside spot checks.
Police services in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound will receive the following:
“I’m pleased our government is supporting police services in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound and across the province in their efforts to keep impaired drivers off our roads and highways,” said Walker. “This investment will help our police services carry out important year-round safety initiatives such as education campaigns and roadside spot checks.”
RIDE grant funding will be used to cover the overtime of sworn officers and paid duty RIDE activities over 2020-21 and 2021-22. All municipal and First Nations police services and OPP municipal contract locations are eligible for funding under the RIDE grant program.
"Driving impaired, whether from drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, it can be fatal. Making alternate plans to get home safely only takes a minute, and it can save your life and the lives of others," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. You can arrange for a designated driver, order a taxi or rideshare, or take public transit, where available.
"You should also take immediate action if they see someone who may be impaired by arranging a ride for them or even calling 911 if someone is a risk to themselves and others," said Jones.
According to provincial data, more than 1,700 people have died and over 25,000 people have been injured in collisions involving an impaired driver in the last decade in Ontario.
Drivers found to be driving while impaired will face penalties immediately. They will also face additional consequences if convicted in court. Impaired driving penalties can vary depending on the driver’s age, licence type, the amount of alcohol or drugs in their system, and how many times they have offended.
source: media release, Bill Walker MPP