A provincial funding program that benefits everyone: grants to police services to put more sworn officers on the streets to catch drunk drivers.

News 100 blueBy Staff

December 10th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Now here is a Christmas gift that everyone gets something out of.

The provincial government is putting $2.4 million into the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Grant to help police services across the province detect impaired drivers and keep our streets and highways safe.

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RIDE checks being done.

172 police services will receive the funding they need to carry out this vital road safety mission throughout the year.

“Sadly, impaired driving continues to be the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General.

“The funding our local police services receive will help them conduct regular roadside spot-checks and education campaigns needed to detect impaired drivers and keep our roads safe throughout the year.”

In the last decade in Ontario, more than 1,700 lives have been lost and over 25,000 people injured in collisions involving an impaired driver. With the legalization of recreational cannabis last year, roadside spot-checks have proven even more crucial.

“Impaired drivers, whether by drugs or alcohol, can be found on the road every single day — not just around the holidays,” said Solicitor General Jones. “It’s simple – don’t get behind the wheel if you’re impaired – make alternative arrangements to get home. This single decision can save your life and the lives of others.”

The grant is intended to cover sworn officers’ overtime and paid duty RIDE activities.

Police officers get to pick up more overtime work and the public is kept safer with more officers out on the streets and road ways pulling drivers over

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2 comments to A provincial funding program that benefits everyone: grants to police services to put more sworn officers on the streets to catch drunk drivers.

  • RobN

    Seems like a contradiction from the Premier.

    One one hand, he wants to increase access to alcohol.
    – He plans to sell alcohol in corner stores.
    – He wants to sell beer for $1 / bottle.

    On the other hand, he wants more police to catch impaired drivers.

    Will the increased policing costs be covered by the increase in alcohol sales?

    Where’s the fiscal prudence in that?

  • Jan Mowbray

    $2.4 million may seem like a big sum but divide it by 172 police services and it’s actually very little. It won’t even begin to pay for one officer.