Police services across Simcoe County are kicking off the holiday season, but not with a party, decorations, or Christmas greetings.
Instead they’re kicking it off with a warning about impaired driving, and about the tragic or deadly consequences of drunk driving.
For Kathy Mitchell, it isn't easy to talk about but she wants to make sure no one suffers the same loss. Her niece Ashley Fogal was killed two years ago in a head on collision while on her way to a concert at Casino Rama. The driver of the other car was charged with impaired driving.
Mitchell is sharing her story at today's kickoff of the festive RIDE campaign.
Starting today RIDE stops will become a familiar sight during the holiday season as police in Barrie, Midland, South Simcoe, and the OPP will ramp up their presence on the roads with random checks.
During the festive program in 2012, the OPP in the central region charged 134 drivers with impaired driving and 118 drivers received a warning.
And with plenty of parties and celebrations during the holidays, it’s not just drunk drivers police will be looking out for.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, between 1200 and 1500 Canadians are killed every year as a result of impaired driving. That works out to four deaths every day. They’re senseless tragedies MADD Simcoe chapter president Sari Remes says can be prevented.
