Holiday RIDE charges up again

DURHAM -- The number of people busted for drunk driving by Durham police during the annual Festive RIDE campaign continues to rise, with more than 150 charged this year.

That's an average of more than 20 impaired motorists arrested in each of the seven weeks the campaign ran; and it's an indication the war against drunk driving is still raging, according to police Chief Mike Ewles.

It's going to be an ongoing challenge for us," the chief said Monday morning.

"We're not giving up on it."

Chief Ewles made the comments following the release of the final results for the 2008 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) effort, during which officers charged 152 people with drunk driving, a sharp increase from last year's total of 113.

In comparison, Toronto police laid 20 impaired charges during a five-week campaign; York Region cops had charged 14 alleged drunk drivers as of Dec. 28.

The chief readily admits the latest number was influenced by a stepped-up campaign, which saw a higher number of cops working RIDE checks throughout the holiday season. But at the same time those officers stopped fewer vehicles -- 10,468 this year, compared to almost 13,000 in 2007.

"We're actually stopping fewer vehicles but I think our officers are taking a more strategic approach," Chief Ewles said.

That approach included carefully choosing areas in which to set up RIDE stops and aggressively checking out drivers for indications of drinking, including glassy eyes and the odour of booze, he said.

"They're a lot more aggressive," he said of Durham's RIDE cops. "They're getting up close and personal to make sure (drivers) haven't been drinking . . . they're being very suspicious, let's say."

During the campaign officers set up each night at locations throughout the region, stopping thousands of vehicles a week. A mobile command post allowed cops to test suspected drunk drivers on the spot and in addition to those busted for exceeding the legal limit, 12-hour suspensions were issued to 168 motorists who registered warning levels on breath-test machines.

In total, officers conducted more than 900 roadside breath tests. Among those charged were 45 G1 or G2 licence holders who are not allowed to have any alcohol in their systems while at the wheel.

Police spokesman Dave Selby said there's no composite portrait of those charged during this year's campaign, except that most were male and the majority are Durham residents. Those charged ranged in age from their teens to late 60s, he said.

Increased funding from the province is helping Durham police to extend the RIDE program throughout the year, Chief Ewles noted.