Members of the Wellington County Ontario OPP, assisted by members from the County OPP Traffic Unit, set up RIDE spot checks here on July 20, as a result of concerns over a local annual event.
The RIDE program resulted in four separate people being charged with over 80. An additional four drivers received a warning range three-day licence suspension and one received a 24-hour licence suspension.
As well, three novice drivers were charged with a blood alcohol level above zero. Novice drivers in the Graduated Licensing System in Ontario and all young drivers who are age 21 and under, must maintain a zero rating when driving or face an immediate 24-hour roadside licence suspension.
Police say organizers of the “field party” were warned many times not to let their attendees drink and drive. It was “quite a gathering,” police said.
“This is an example of what happens when event hosts fail to take the necessary steps to avoid what could be very costly in terms of potential human tragedy,” said Wellington County OPP Inspector Scott Lawson.
“Despite repeated warnings by us, the landowners chose to allow these inexcusable acts of drinking and driving to leave their property, any one of which could have turned very tragic. Not only is this irresponsible but the civil liability consequences if someone had been involved in a collision are far reaching.”
Drinking and driving is a deadly combination, police say, noting one drink can reduce a driver’s ability to concentrate, anticipate potentially dangerous situations and react to them appropriately.
“What’s it going to take for those who hold these large parties to understand the risks to all of us? I just don’t get it. This is very disheartening and totally preventable,” said Lawson.
