Milton Police Targets Impaired Drivers

On December 1st officers from Milton and Georgetown stations will launch their annual impaired driving enforcement campaign in an effort to deter and detect those motorists that continue to place other roads users at risk by drinking and driving. The project will run through to the New Year.

Additional officers will be on patrol during the evenings when people are traditionally attending parties and gatherings related to the festive season.

Recently officers conducted a roadside screening device project during which they visited local licenced establishments in an effort to educate patrons and serving staff. Based on voluntary breath tests conducted during the project, 15 drivers were discouraged from driving when they learned that they would have failed a roadside test and been arrested.

Our message is simple and one that is shared by MADD Canada, “Educating and informing Canadians about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving is an important part of our work. Information alone will not end impaired driving, but the majority of people – when fully informed of the risks, both to themselves and others – will make the right choices and never get behind the wheel impaired.”

Impaired driving means operating a vehicle (including cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada and the consequences are serious. You may:

lose your licence
have your vehicle impounded
need to pay an administrative monetary penalty
need to attend an education or treatment program
be fined upon conviction
be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle
spend time in jail
end up with a criminal record

Residents can expect to see increased RIDE checks in all locations within our communities. Officers will partner with volunteers from MADD Canada to thank those drivers who make the responsible decisions to drive sober. Citizens can report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1 and in doing so can help to keep our roads as safe as possible.