On Saturday October 21st, 2023, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) conducted R.I.D.E. spot checks in the City of Welland and the City of Thorold.
Throughout the night officers stopped approximately 400 vehicles and inquired if any of the drivers had consumed any alcohol or drugs earlier in the evening. In total, 10 drivers were required to provide a sample of their breath for analysis. All drivers provided a breath sample in the acceptable range.
One driver who was stopped by police provided a false name. Subsequent investigation revealed that the 34-year-old driver, who is a resident of the City of Welland, was a suspended driver in the Province of Ontario and had 4 outstanding arrest warrants. He was placed under arrested and processed on the outstanding warrants. He was further charged with obstructing a peace officer and breach probation, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. A charge of drive under suspension, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act was also laid.
The Niagara Regional Police Service remains committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like R.I.D.E.
Impaired driving remains the leading criminal offence causing death in Canada.
This initiative has been made possible, in part, as a result of grant funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General as part of the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program.