RIDE programs now in effect, with police checking for cannabis use

’TIS THE SEASON FOR police to roll out their Festive RIDE campaign, the first since the government legalized cannabis use. Police note they’ll be checking for drug-impaired drivers as vigorously as they do those who’ve been drinking alcohol.

So far this year, the OPP reports alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the deaths of 39 people.

From January 1 to midOctober, the OPP laid more than 6,700 impaired driving charges across the province, 283 of which were ‘impaired by drugs.’

The OPP reports that its standardized field sobriety test-trained officers and drug recognition experts have been in place for years and are prepared to deal with the current situation.

Police remind drivers that when transporting cannabis in a vehicle, it must be in its original package that has not been opened, or it can be packaged in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle. Novice, young (under 22) and commercial vehicle drivers cannot have any alcohol or drugs in their system while driving.

“Drivers who consume cannabis and think they can avoid detection by the OPP need to think again. The OPP has a strong set of tools and skills that enable them to take drug and alcohol-impaired drivers off our roads. Whether a person is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, impaired is impaired. Both forms are dangerous, serious criminal offences and they carry similar penalties,” said OPP interim Deputy Commissioner Rose DiMarco in a release.