The Ontario Provincial Police has wrapped up its festive ride campaign on a not-so-festive note with the deaths of six people over the seven-week period.
OPP officers conducted more than 7,340 RIDE Stop initiatives in Ontario between November 21 and January 7. During that time, police laid impaired-driving charges against 610 drivers, and 22 of them faced drug-related charges too.
Another 388 drivers were suspended for driving with a blood-alcohol concentration between .05 mg and .08 mg.
While the data is preliminary, the OPP says five of the deaths on Ontario roads involved a motor vehicle collision. The sixth was off-road vehicle-related.
In addition to the fatalities, there were 270 collisions during the campaign resulting in many injuries.
Police are using the opportunity to remind drivers to make a commitment never to drive impaired whether by alcohol or drugs. And, if you suspect someone else is driving impaired, call 911.