Photo submitted by the Saint John Police Force
During the holiday season, the Saint John Police Force will have a group of officers working to ensure the roads are safe from impaired drivers.
Festival R.I.D.E. is a four-week campaign that will see officers work with Justice and Public Safety officials in areas across the city.
“There are going to be several checkpoints throughout the city for December, there will also be roaming patrols as well that are simply there to dedicate impaired drivers,” said coordinator Const. Travis Jones.
Officers will be looking for drivers under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both.
“We certainly have the tools to be able to detect impaired drivers and to see them brought before the courts if the situation dictates the proper course of action,” said Jones.
Jones added the public plays an important role in deterring and reporting impaired drivers to the police.
“If someone feels that somebody may be operating a motor vehicle while impair by alcohol or drugs they should call 911 because that is an emergency, and we will respond accordingly,” he said.
The Festive R.I.D.E. campaign is in partnership with the Saint John Chapter of MADD Canada, and president Joyce Nickerson said in a release that impaired driving is not an accident.
“The goal of MADD is to stop impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime. These injuries and deaths are 100 per cent preventable,” said Nickerson.
The campaign runs until December 31.
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