PEEL REGION - Peel Police are not happy. With their annual Festive R.I.D.E program all 'wrapped up', for the 38 days of the campaign, police charged 249 motorists with drinking and driving offences, an average of 6.5 a day.

Put it into further perspective, they checked 28,871 cars this year (which means 0.86%, or less than 1%, of drivers were charged). But compared to last year, it's actually worse. During the 2010 campaign, Peel officers stopped 33,520 cars and charged 201 motorists with drinking and driving offences (which is a 0.6% ratio).

Of the 249 drivers who were charged with drinking and driving related offences, 20 included the offence of Failing or Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample to police. Another 286 motorists received Warn Range Suspensions under the Highway Traffic Act.

Inspector Robert Orr, Officer–in–Charge of Traffic Services, said the number of people charged this year is troubling. "Unfortunately, the numbers are a stark reminder that there are still motorists who choose to drink and drive, placing themselves and others at risk," he said. "We remain diligent year-round in our efforts to enforce impaired driving laws, and to keep our roads safe."

Results from this year’s Festive R.I.D.E. program:

The Festive R.I.D.E program ran from November 25, 2011, to January 1, 2012.

FYI, R.I.D.E. programs do continue to operate on a weekly basis throughout the Region.

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