Press Releases
Taking Action to Reduce Impaired Driving in Chatham-Kent and Essex County
December 18, 2020
Chatham-Kent and Essex County — The Ontario government is investing a total of $137,353 for 2020-2021 and $137,078 for 2021-2022 to OPP Essex, Chatham-Kent, Windsor, and Lasalle Police Services through the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) grant program. This initiative is to help the local police services, covering the areas of Chatham-Kent and Essex County, to keep impaired drivers off streets and highways.
“With the holidays around the corner, it is important to have a plan to get home safely,” said MPP Rick Nicholls,Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “Impaired driving is illegal, whether from drugs or alcohol, and it only takes a few minutes to figure out alternative plans to get home safely that may save your life and the lives of others.”
RIDE grant funding will help carry out important year-round road safety initiatives such as education campaigns and roadside spot checks over 2020-21 and 2021-22.
As Ontarians prepare to celebrate the holiday season, they are reminded to make plans to get home safely. They can arrange for a designated driver, order a taxi or rideshare, or take public transit. They should also take immediate action if they see someone who may be impaired by arranging a ride for them or even calling 911 if someone is a risk to themselves and others.
“Driving impaired, whether from drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, it can be fatal. Making alternate plans to get home safely only takes a minute, and it can save your life and the lives of others,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “With the holiday season upon us, education campaigns and roadside spot checks are vital tools in the police arsenal to inform people about the dangers of driving impaired and the ways to keep our roads and highways safe.”
