OPP officers conducted a Festive RIDE check on the county side of the Norris-Whitney Bridge on Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Amanda Smith/ Quinte News)
Tis the festive season but the Quinte Region Traffic Coalition wants to make sure everyone gets home safely.
On Thursday afternoon a RIDE check was held on the Prince Edward County side of the Norris-Whitney Bridge.
Quinte West Cst. David Ludington says tonight (Thursday) is a big night and officers from as far away as Napanee will be conducting RIDE checks.
Prince Edward County Sgt. John Hatch says so far this year they haven’t had any impaired deaths but says impaired driving is still a problem.
He says officers catch approximately one impaired driver a week.
Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health for Hastings and Prince Edward Counties says impaired driving is one of the top four preventable injuries.
He says over the years, there is a downward trend but not a significant improvement in impaired driving injuries since the 1990s.
A concern of his going forward is the legalization of marijuana.
The QRTC will be conducting Festive Ride checks on roads in town, on highway on-ramps and back roads throughout the region.
