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Over 1,000 vehicles stopped during St. Patrick’s Day RIDE check

Four drivers provided breath samples resulting in an 'Alert' and had their licences suspended for three days
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On March 17, members of the Niagara Regional Police traffic enforcement unit conducted RIDE spot checks in St. Catharines and Thorold.

Officers stopped over 1,000 vehicles and inquired if any of the drivers had consumed any alcohol or drugs earlier in the evening. In total, 18 drivers were required to provide a sample of their breath for analysis.

At 6:55 p.m., as officers were positioned at an identified RIDE spot check in Thorold, a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado was observed approaching the officers; however, the driver conducted a u-turn and attempted to avoid the spot check by driving the opposite way. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver, a 24-year-old resident of St. Catharines, was displaying signs of impairment. After being directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, the driver provided a reading that was greater than 80 ml of alcohol per 100 mg of blood. As a result, the driver was arrested and charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

At 10:26 p.m., as police were positioned at an identified RIDE spot check in St. Catharines, the officers approached the driver of a 2005 Dodge Caravan, who showed signs of impairment. When the driver was directed to exit the vehicle, an open beer can fell from the vehicle onto the ground.  After being arrested, the driver provided a sample of their breath for analysis, which was greater than 80 ml of alcohol per 100 mg of blood. As a result, the driver was charged with the impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

Additionally, of the 18 drivers who were directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, four drivers were determined to be in the 'alert' range, meaning their blood alcohol concentration was between 50 mg of alcohol and 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. All four drivers had their driver's licences suspended for three days in accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

Two tickets were issued to drivers throughout the evening for the offence of failing to display two licence plates per the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

The Niagara Regional Police Service remains committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders byway of enforcement programs such as RIDE.

Impaired driving remains the leading criminal offence causing death in Canada.