Drinking and driving numbers concern Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police
While the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had exceptional results with the recent Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program with almost double the number of drivers having been charged with impaired driving over 2022, the issue of drinking and driving remains a major concern for the OPP.
“The OPP remains committed to roadway safety and taking alcohol/drug impaired drivers off our roads through both enforcement and public education,” Inspector Robert Walsh, detachment commander for the Manitoulin OPP told The Expositor. “This year’s Festive RIDE campaign ran from November 16, 2023 through January 1, 2024 and the Manitoulin detachment realized exceptional results.”
Inspector Walsh noted that a total of 171 RIDE check programs were conducted (on Manitoulin Island and the Espanola area) resulting in 29 impaired driving charges and 18 impaired drivers being taken off our highways. “Although the festive season has concluded, officers will continue a concerted effort to encourage responsible driving habits and enforcement action where applicable. If you know or suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you may save a life.”
Inspector Walsh said for 2023, a total of 90 charges were laid for impaired drivers in comparison to 51 in 2022.
“I know the local officers are out in the community and busy,” said Al Boyd, chair of the Manitoulin Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) at a Zoom meeting last week. “Unfortunately, impaired driving is on the rise again whether it be drugs or alcohol across the province and all of Canada.”
Inspector Walsh explained the Manitoulin OPP holds RIDE programs everywhere, year-round. “And we engage in the annual Festive RIDE program at the Christmas and New Year’s season when there are so many social get togethers. We are on hand with our programs to get the message out that drivers need to get where they are going in a safe fashion. And we advertise these RIDE programs as much as we can.”
“Our goal is to discourage people who are drinking or taking drugs from operating their vehicles,” said Inspector Walsh.
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service also provided the Expositor with 2023 RIDE program statistics. In 2023 WTPS held a total of 112 programs over the year with 3,466 vehicles checked. Of those there was only one driver charged with impaired driving and one driver charged with refusal to provide a breath sample. In 2022 the WTPS held 17 RIDE programs through the year with 662 vehicles stopped. There were no drivers charged with driving impaired or drivers charged with refusal.
OPP arrest one person at RIDE program
One person has been arrested and charged after being stopped at a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program.
On January 6, shortly after 9 pm, the Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting a RIDE program on Lee Valley Road in Espanola.
A vehicle was stopped as it was determined the driver was wanted. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of suspected crystal methamphetamine, suspected unmarked cigarettes and approximately $3,700.
As a result of the investigation, Johnathon Trudeau, 41, from Espanola has been arrested and charged with: possession of a schedule one substance for the purpose of trafficking, methamphetamine; possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; operating a motor vehicle without insurance; operating unsafe vehicle; possessing unmarked cigarettes; improper tires; and failure to comply with probation order.
The accused was held in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice bail court in Sudbury on January 8.
Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service announces new main contact number
Members of the public are being alerted that there has been a change in the main contact phone number for the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) office.
“As of January 12, the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service main contact number for the office is now (705) 370-3141. This is the direct number to the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service only,” a release explains.
“All contact numbers for the Provincial Communications Centre (1-888-310-1122) remain unchanged. For emergency purposes, the 911 system also remains unchanged.”
