The Independent

The Lambton OPP is ready for the holidays.

The local detachment started its Festive RIDE program Friday.

Officials say stopping drivers is part of enforcement but also educating drivers about the OPP’s efforts to take drunk drivers off the road.

“As we head into the holiday season, our priority is to keep every member of our community safe,” said Lambton’s Interim OPP Detachment Commander, Insp. Ross Stuart in a news release. “Impaired driving is entirely preventable, and the consequences can be devastating. Throughout the Festive RIDE campaign, Lambton OPP officers will be out in full force, at all hours, conducting checkpoints and removing impaired drivers from our roads. We’re asking everyone to plan ahead and make responsible choices.”

Meantime the provincial government says it will soon introduce legislation which would force impaired drivers who kill to pay restitution to the family of the victims, saying the impaired drivers actions are a “life sentence” for the family.

In 2021, there were 182 fatalities caused by impaired driving. This includes 96 drinking and driving fatalities and 86 fatalities due to drugs.