Festive RIDE Program Launches with Strict Enforcement
The Ontario Provincial Police have announced significant results from the first week of their annual Festive RIDE program, with 34 drivers facing charges across the province. The initiative, which launched in late November 2025, represents the police force's heightened efforts to combat impaired driving during the holiday season.
Enforcement Details and Program Scope
According to information released on November 28, 2025, the OPP conducted numerous roadside checks throughout Ontario during the program's initial seven days. The Festive RIDE program traditionally runs from late November through the beginning of January, targeting times when holiday parties and celebrations typically increase the risk of impaired driving incidents.
Police officials emphasized that the 34 charges represent a concerning number of drivers who chose to operate vehicles while impaired. The OPP has deployed additional resources and increased patrol presence on provincial highways and local roads to ensure public safety throughout the holiday period.
Broader Context of Road Safety Efforts
The Festive RIDE program operates as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce alcohol and drug-related collisions during what statistics show is a high-risk period for impaired driving. The OPP has consistently maintained that zero tolerance remains their standard for impaired driving enforcement.
This year's program comes amid ongoing concerns about road safety across Ontario. Police are reminding drivers that impairment can result from alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or distraction, and that all forms of impaired driving pose serious risks to public safety.
The OPP encourages all motorists to plan ahead for safe transportation options when attending holiday gatherings. With the program continuing through the remainder of the holiday season, police anticipate conducting thousands more roadside checks across the province.
