Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are calling on Ontarians to be better drivers after more than 50 motorists were caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs over the New Year.
From 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 3 p.m. on Jan. 1, OPP officers laid a total of 56 impaired driving charges, 11 of which were in the Greater Toronto Area, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said in a video posted on social media late Sunday afternoon.
“Happy New Year's 2023. Unfortunately, not everybody got the message about celebrating responsibly,” he said, underlining that the OPP wants drivers to “understand the responsibilities of driving safe and sober” as 53 people were killed in drug- and/or alcohol-related collisions in Ontario last year.
“We want 2023 to be a much better year. Please be a better driver. If you drink, don't drive. If you drive, don't drink. It's pretty simple.”
In the past 24 hours during #NewYear2023 celebrations, the OPP laid 56 #ImpairedDriving charges, 11 in the #GTA.
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 1, 2023
Throughout the #FestiveRide season, the #OPP laid 1241 impaired charges, 243 in the GTA.
53 people died in 2022 in drug/alcohol related collisions. #BeABetterDriver. pic.twitter.com/Rob7TaiYup
Since launching its annual holiday R.I.D.E. campaign on Nov. 17, the OPP has laid 1,241 impaired driving charges in the province. Schmidt said 243 of those charges were handed out in the GTA.
