WRPS points to sobering statistics as 15 impaired driving charges laid in over a week
Waterloo regional police say the numbers are “disturbing” after close to two dozen people were arrested for impaired driving in a matter of days.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) made 15 arrests for impaired driving so far in 2023. Nine of those were made between Jan. 6 and 8.
“I was really hoping we’d see the residents of Waterloo [region] had made a resolution to not drink and drive in the year 2023 – sadly, that’s not come to pass,” said WRPS Staff Sgt. Scott Griffiths.
Griffiths said eight of those arrests were for alcohol impairment and one for drug impairment.
“Disturbing to know we had nine people over the last three days arrested for impaired driving,” Griffiths said. “Three of those involved a collision. So we are very concerned this is the sort of behavior that can cause injury and death.”
There were no injuries reported, but police said getting behind the wheel while impaired puts everyone at risk.
More than 6,000 vehicles were checked during the WRPS Festive RIDE program that ran for six weeks between Nov. 17 and Jan. 2.
During the campaign, WRPS laid 16 impaired-related charges, issued 12 three-day suspensions, 33 highway traffic act charges and three cannabis control act charges.
MADD Canada told CTV News any number of impaired drivers on the road is unacceptable.
“Just plan ahead. If that means public transportation, if that means getting ride sharing like Uber, taking a cab, staying over, having a designated driver,” said Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada.
MADD Canada said the conversation about impaired driving needs to be extended beyond the holiday season.
“I don’t know if there’s a new way to say it very bluntly. It’s a criminal act that’s done by choice or by negligence and everyone is responsible for their actions,” Sullivan said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of US dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
Man involved in Dartmouth, N.S., emergency alert earlier this week turns himself in
A 49-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that happened earlier this week in Dartmouth, N.S.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases
Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.
'Oh, there you go': Tyler Black, son of veteran broadcaster Rod Black, has memorable Major League Baseball debut
Canadian baseball player Tyler Black made a major splash in his first-ever big league game for the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
Groundbreaking American guitarist Duane Eddy dies age 86
Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.