Greater Sudbury Police Services were joined by representatives from a number of community organizations on Nov. 30 in Lively for the kickoff of their festive RIDE campaign.
Community partners including the city of Greater Sudbury, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Action Sudbury, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving, Safe Ride Home Sudbury, the Hancock family, and Canadian Blood Services were all on hand as GSPS and Sudbury OPP officers reminded drivers to stay safe by not drinking and driving this holiday season.
"When you look at our footprint of Greater Sudbury is the same as Prince Edward Island, from a policing perspective we have a real issue in trying to make sure we get all of our roads covered and getting them all looked after when we're talking about policing and RIDE checks," said Ward 2 Coun. and police services board chair Michael Vagnini.
"It's a real honour to have the RIDE program here in our community to signify the beginning of the festive season and urging people not to drink and drive."
The GSPS runs RIDE programs throughout the year, but the festive season is one of particular importance, as mentioned by Deputy Chief Al Lekun who attended the Nov. 30 launch.
"We're out 12 months a year at all times of day. The festive season we tend to focus our efforts because we know individuals and friends and family will be out celebrating the holidays and we want to be able to get out there and deter individuals from getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs," said Lekun.
Officers have the tall task of policing roughly 3,600 km of roads this holiday season and ensuring that everyone is taking the proper precautions to getting home safe.
"Tragedies do occur here in our community," said Lekun. "A few years ago we lost three great teenagers, just last year we lost another young man. These are the tragedies that we want avoided, because they have significant impacts on the families of the individuals involved, both from the driver's perspective and the victim's perspective."
Lekun explained that in an ideal situation, the GSPS would not have to make any arrests for impaired driving this holiday season, and that the goal of these RIDE launches is to get out in front of the situation and let drivers know that police are on the roads.
"We hope and truly believe that when people know we're out here doing our job, that they make better decisions about getting behind the wheel of their vehicle while impaired," said Lekun.
"We also want people to know that they can be part of the process of making our community safer, and that process starts with making the proper decisions."
Having organizations such as Safe Ride Home Sudbury attend the launch was of utmost importance, according to Vagnini, who stressed the importance of people using the resources available to them when in need of a ride home from a holiday party.
"There are so many better options than driving home while you're impaired," said Vagnini. "We have organizations like Safe Ride Home Sudbury, you can phone a friend, phone a cab, just please don't drink and drive."
